From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Medical services were partially disrupted in Ilorin on Thursday as resident doctors at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), embarked on a 48-hour warning strike to protest the assault of one of their colleagues at the maternity ward.
The industrial action, led by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-KWASUTH), followed a protest within the hospital premises, where doctors decried what they described as a growing threat to their safety while on duty.
Addressing journalists, the President of the association, Dr Abdulfatai Abdulazeez, condemned the incident, describing it as deeply troubling and a serious danger to healthcare delivery in Kwara State.
“These incidents are deeply regrettable. They pose a serious risk to the safety and well-being of healthcare workers who dedicate themselves daily to saving lives,” he said.
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He warned that continued attacks on medical personnel could undermine the quality of healthcare services, urging both hospital authorities and the public to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violence against health workers.
“A secure and respectful work environment is essential for effective healthcare delivery. The safety of those who save lives must remain a shared priority,” Abdulazeez added.
The ARD president further stressed that the association remains committed to patient care but would not hesitate to escalate its action if concrete steps are not taken to address their concerns.
“We are open to constructive engagement with the management, government and relevant stakeholders, but if our demands are ignored, we may be forced to extend the strike to one week,” he warned.
Also speaking, the Vice President of the association, Dr Daniel Amao, noted that the Nigeria Medical Association, had previously intervened in similar cases through committees aimed at curbing violence against healthcare workers.
“We are not fighting the government. We are sacrificing to serve the people, and we deserve to be treated with dignity and guaranteed safety,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Medical Director of KWASUTH, Dr Ola Ahmed, condemned the attack and confirmed that the suspects involved had been arrested and are currently in police custody.
Describing the incident as barbaric, Ahmed assured staff of management’s commitment to their protection, but appealed to the doctors to reconsider the strike in the interest of patients.
“It is unwise to disrupt services because innocent patients will bear the consequences. We are working to ensure such incidents do not happen again,” he said.
During the protest, the doctors displayed placards with messages highlighting their grievances, including calls to end violence against healthcare workers and ensure their safety while discharging their duties.
