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By Muinat Usman
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) has declared a 48-hour warning strike following the alleged assault of one of its members on duty.
Addressing journalists, the ARD President, Dr. AbdulAzeez AbdulFatah, described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable, raising serious concerns about the safety of healthcare workers within the facility.
According to him, Dr. (Mrs.) Rashida, a registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, was reportedly attacked while attending to a patient.
She was allegedly beaten, dragged, and molested in the course of carrying out her professional duties.
The association strongly condemned the incident, warning that such acts pose a grave threat to the well-being of medical personnel and could undermine effective healthcare delivery.
The doctors called on hospital management, the Kwara State Government, security agencies, and the public to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against all forms of aggression towards healthcare workers, particularly from patients’ relatives.
Following an emergency congress, the association resolved to embark on a 48-hour warning strike in solidarity with the affected doctor.
The industrial action, which took immediate effect, involves the withdrawal of all medical services.
The ARD cautioned that the strike may be extended by an additional one week if their demands are not addressed within the stipulated timeframe.
Key demands include justice and compensation for the assaulted doctor, improved security within the hospital, and the deployment of security personnel, including police officers, to sensitive areas of the facility.
The association also urged hospital management to prominently display patients’ rights and responsibilities across the hospital to foster mutual understanding and prevent future incidents.
Meanwhile, members of the association staged a peaceful protest within the hospital premises, carrying placards with various inscriptions to press home their demands.
