0
0
By Muinat Usman
Resident Doctors Protest at UITH Over Alleged Assault on Colleague
Declare Five-Day Warning Strike as Hospital Management Condemns Attack
Resident doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest within the hospital premises following the alleged assault of a female doctor by a relative of a deceased patient.
The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Doctors Lives Matter,” “Justice for Our Colleague,” “Let Doctors Breathe,” and “Say No to Violence Against Health Workers,” marched around the hospital complex to demand improved protection for healthcare workers.
The demonstration came after the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) declared a five-day warning strike over the incident, which it described as a necessary measure to safeguard medical personnel from attacks while on duty.
Addressing journalists, the ARD President, Dr. Ezekiel Oladepo, said the industrial action was approved during an emergency congress in line with the association’s protocol on assaults against members.
According to him, the incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Wednesday in the Department of Paediatrics when a senior resident doctor attended to a critically ill two-year-old child who later died from complications arising from the patient’s condition before arrival at the hospital.
Dr. Oladepo alleged that after the family was informed of the death, the child’s father confronted the doctor while she was attending to another patient, pushed her against a wooden table, causing injury to her back, and attempted to attack her before he was restrained by relatives and a senior consultant.
He further alleged that the consultant was verbally abused during the altercation.
The ARD president said hospital management alerted the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
He stressed that healthcare workers should not have to fear for their safety while attempting to save lives.
“We cannot be trying to save lives while also fearing for our own safety,” he said, adding that violence against healthcare workers undermines quality patient care.
While sympathising with the bereaved family, Dr. Oladepo maintained that grief should never be expressed through violence against medical personnel.
He noted that the warning strike and peaceful protest were intended to deter future attacks on healthcare workers.
He also recalled two previous assault cases involving resident doctors that are still pending before the courts, expressing concern that delays in the judicial process have failed to discourage similar incidents.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the hospital management of the UITH has condemned the assault, describing it as unfortunate and unacceptable.
The Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. D.A. Fagbemi, said the hospital places the highest value on the lives, safety and welfare of its staff, while also prioritising the health and well-being of patients.
The management reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against all forms of verbal and physical assault on healthcare workers and disclosed that accessible complaint channels have been established for patients and their relatives to seek redress whenever necessary.
It added that warning notices against assaults on healthcare workers have been displayed across the hospital in English and several Nigerian languages, while security personnel have been placed on heightened alert to prevent a recurrence.
The hospital also expressed support for the ARD in pursuing lawful means of redress, noting that the suspect has either been arraigned or is in the process of being arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Reaffirming its commitment to quality healthcare delivery, the management pledged to maintain a safe, respectful and welcoming environment for staff, patients and visitors.
Editing: Abdullah Ahmed
