Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, and its Akure Annex have commenced a 72-hour warning strike following the alleged assault of a medical doctor by a patient’s relative within the hospital premises on Sunday.
The industrial action was declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo, after a doctor on duty was reportedly attacked while attending to patients in the facility.
According to reports, the wife of a patient allegedly assaulted the doctor while he was performing his duties, creating tension within the hospital environment.
The situation reportedly escalated when some individuals later stormed the hospital in search of the doctor, forcing staff members to quickly move him to a secure location within the facility for his safety.
In a communiqué issued by the association and signed by its President, Dr. Adeola Oluwadamilola, and Secretary-General, Dr. Dare Aderemi, the doctors condemned the incident, describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against healthcare workers.
The association alleged that the doctor was physically assaulted by both a patient and the patient’s daughter, noting that this marks the second recorded attack on a medical practitioner at the institution within the year.
The doctors said the rising cases of aggression against health workers were affecting morale and endangering the delivery of healthcare services.
As part of their response, the association outlined several demands aimed at addressing the situation and preventing future occurrences.
These include the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved in the attack, deployment of armed security personnel to FMC Owo and its annexes, a public apology from the alleged assailant in a national newspaper, and adequate compensation for the injured doctor.
The association stressed that failure to address the demands could lead to further industrial action beyond the 72-hour warning strike.
Patients at the hospital were seen seeking alternative care arrangements as the strike disrupted routine medical services across the affected facilities.
Healthcare workers across the country have continued to raise concerns over increasing incidents of violence in hospitals, calling for stronger security measures to protect medical personnel while on duty.
The situation at FMC Owo adds to ongoing national debates about safety in healthcare institutions and the need for improved protection of frontline medical workers.
