The Association of Resident Doctors, Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (ARD-KWASUTH) on Thursday commenced a 48-hour warning strike following the assault of one of its members at the maternity ward of the hospital.
The President of ARD-KWASUTH, Dr Abdulfatai Abdulazeez, disclosed this during a news conference organised on the sideline of a protest carried out by the association.
He described the incidents as “deeply regrettable” and a threat to the safety of health workers in the hospital.
Abdulazeez condemned the assault on medical doctors and other healthcare workers within the facility, warning that the trend endangers healthcare delivery in the state.
“They pose a serious risk to the safety and well-being of healthcare workers who dedicate themselves daily to saving lives and serving the people of Kwara State,” the President said.
Abdulazeez called on the hospital management and the public to adopt a “zero-tolerance stance” toward aggression against medical personnel.
He said that a secure and respectful work environment is “essential for effective healthcare delivery,” not a privilege.
“The safety of those who save lives must remain a shared priority,” the President added, urging that “prompt and appropriate measures” be taken to protect health workers’ dignity”.
Abdulazeez stated that despite the challenges, the ARD reaffirms its commitment to professional duties and patient care.
According to him, the association looks forward to “constructive engagement” with hospital management, government,
security agencies, and the public to create a safer hospital environment.
Abdulazeez warned that if the demands of the association are not met by the management, the union will withdraw services for a week.
Also speaking, the Vice President of the association, Dr Daniel Amao explained tha the Nigeria Medical Association had in the past made efforts in addressing the issue of assault on healthcare workers through setting up committees.
“We are not fighting the government. We are sacrificing to serve the populace and as such, we must be treated well with dignity and be safe,” Amao said.
In his reaction, Dr Ola Ahmed, the Chief Medical Director of the KWASUTH, condemned the assault of the healthcare workers.
Ahmed explained that the two assailants comprising a male and a female have been apprehended and are in the custody of police in Kwara.
He assured the healthcare workers that the management is committed to protecting all the healthcare workers and providing optimal service.
“The assault on doctors and healthcare workers is a barbaric act. But we appeal to the unions that it is unwise to disrupt services because other people will bear the brunt,” Ahmed said.
The protesters and healthcare workers carried placards with inscriptions during the protest such as “Hands that heal, should not bleed, say no to assault on doctors”.
Others are: “Your grief or anger must not cost us our lives: end violence/anger against health workers”, and “Stop assaults against nurses, we save lives , don’t end ours,” .
