Resident doctors and nurses at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, have commenced a three-day warning strike following the alleged assault of healthcare workers at the hospital’s Emergency Department.
The industrial action, which began late Friday, was triggered by an incident involving a relative of a deceased patient who allegedly attacked doctors, nurses and other staff members inside the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UCH branch, announced the strike in a communiqué jointly signed by its President, Dr Uthman Adedeji, and General Secretary, Dr Mary Awodiji, after an emergency congress held in Ibadan.
According to the association, the suspect, identified as Sharafa Oyenigba, allegedly assaulted two doctors — Dr Oladapo Olatunbosun and Dr Mololuwa Adebayo — after a patient died despite medical intervention.
The doctors’ body also alleged that a Deputy Director of Nursing, security personnel and the hospital’s Service Manager were attacked during the chaos.
“The Emergency Department was thrown into chaos after one Sarafa Oyenigba, a relative of a deceased patient, assaulted members of staff after earlier verbally attacking them,” the communiqué stated.
ARD said the suspect allegedly tore the clothes of one of the doctors and threatened further violence even after his arrest.
Speaking on the development, Adedeji said the deceased patient had arrived at the hospital in critical condition and relatives were informed about the severity of the illness from the onset.
“Unfortunately, after more than 24 hours on admission, the patient passed away despite all interventions,” he said.
He added that the suspect repeatedly attacked a nurse inside the resuscitation bay before assaulting doctors and other workers who attempted to intervene.
“The assault on the nurse was repeated several times. When the doctor on duty stepped in, the attacker tore his clothes and beat him up,” Adedeji said.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), UCH chapter, also joined the strike, describing the attacks as dehumanising and dangerous to healthcare workers.
Chairman of the union, Matron Olufunmilola Fanimu, said violence against medical personnel had become a growing concern within the hospital.
“Nurses are always at the point of care. We condemn every act of violence against nurses and healthcare providers,” she said.
She warned that repeated attacks on healthcare workers could worsen the migration of Nigerian doctors and nurses abroad in search of safer working environments.
The resident doctors accused hospital security personnel of failing to act swiftly despite earlier warnings that the suspect posed a threat. The association described the lapse as preventable and demanded improved security measures within the hospital.
Among its demands, ARD called for the suspect to be remanded in custody and prosecuted immediately. The association also requested visible signage across hospital hotspots declaring zero tolerance for violence against staff and regular training for security personnel.
The doctors noted that assaults on healthcare workers within UCH had become frequent, citing a separate incident involving another doctor and a security officer in recent weeks.
The association said the latest action aligned with the National Association of Resident Doctors’ protocol, which prescribes a 72-hour industrial action following confirmed assaults on members.
The strike is expected to end Tuesday morning, after which the association said it would reassess the management’s response before deciding on further action.
Witnesses said the suspect is currently being detained at the Yemetu Police Station in Ibadan.
Efforts to get an official reaction from UCH management were unsuccessful as of press time.
