Doctors Shut Down FMC In Ondo Over Assault On Colleague

By Ayodele Oni 

Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State, have commenced an indefinite strike following the alleged assault of a medical doctor by a patient’s relative within the hospital premises.

The industrial action which began on Sunday, has disrupted services at both FMC Owo and its Akure Annex, with doctors insisting that work will not resume until those responsible for the attack are apprehended and adequate security measures are put in place.

According to sources within the hospital, the incident occurred while the doctor was on duty. The doctor was allegedly assaulted by the wife of a patient, after which some individuals reportedly stormed the hospital in search of him.

Hospital workers were said to have moved the doctor to a secured location within the facility to prevent further attacks as tensions escalated.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo, declared the warning strike over the incident and growing concerns about the safety of healthcare workers.

It stated that the strike would continue until the perpetrators are brought to justice and security is strengthened, particularly in the Accident and Emergency Unit.

It added that many healthcare workers now fear for their safety and are reluctant to continue working without improved security arrangements.

Another source alleged that the attackers attempted to locate the doctor even after he had been moved to safety by hospital staff, claiming that threats were made against his life.

Following an emergency general meeting, the ARD, FMC Owo, condemned the incident and announced a total warning strike.

In a communiqué signed by the association’s President, Dr. Adeola Oluwadamilola, and Secretary-General, Dr. Dare Aderemi, the doctors described the assault as another example of the increasing violence faced by healthcare workers while carrying out their duties.

The association stated that the doctor was allegedly slapped several times and manhandled by a patient and the patient’s daughter. 

It noted that attacks on doctors has become recurrent, describing the latest incident as the second such case recorded at the institution this year.

The doctors demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved, the deployment of armed security personnel to the hospital and its annexes, a public apology by the alleged assailant in a national newspaper, and compensation for the victim.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed support for the strike action and condemned the attack.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, NARD said it received reports that a doctor was assaulted while performing his professional duties.

The national body alleged that the attackers tore the doctor’s clothes, repeatedly slapped him and subjected him to degrading treatment. 

It further claimed that individuals linked to the incident later invited thugs to continue the assault and issued threats against the doctor’s life.

The association called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved, improved security measures across health facilities, and compensation, protection and psychological support for the victim.

It also warned that continued failure by authorities and hospital managements to address attacks on healthcare workers could trigger wider industrial action nationwide.

As of press time, medical services at FMC Owo and its Akure Annex remained disrupted, leaving patients and residents seeking healthcare services uncertain about when normal operations would resume.