...Orders Hospitals To Set Up Violence Prevention Teams, Tighten Security
…Warns Perpetrators Of Prosecution As EFCC-Uyo Hospital Incident Triggers Nationwide Reform
Daud Olatunji
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of sweeping measures to protect doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers from harassment, intimidation and physical assault following a surge in violent incidents across public health facilities.
The directive comes after a ministerial committee investigating the harassment of health workers uncovered at least 18 reported cases of assault, intimidation and harassment in Federal Tertiary Health Institutions within the last 12 months, exposing what authorities described as a growing threat to healthcare delivery nationwide.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, approved the immediate implementation of the committee’s recommendations, including the establishment of Violence Prevention Teams in federal hospitals, improved security infrastructure and stricter enforcement of existing laws against offenders.
The decision followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom.
The committee was constituted on May 19 after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission allegedly clashed with workers of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State—an incident that disrupted clinical services and sparked industrial action by health workers.
According to the ministry, investigations revealed that the Uyo incident was not an isolated case but part of a disturbing nationwide trend of violence against healthcare personnel.
The committee found that the reported incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel.
The attacks reportedly resulted in bodily injuries to health workers, psychological trauma, destruction of hospital property and disruption of critical medical services.
The committee also identified several underlying causes fueling the violence, including poor communication between healthcare workers and patients, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, poor hospital infrastructure, emotional distress among patients and relatives, abuse of authority by some security personnel and the absence of clear hospital security protocols.
In response, Pate declared that healthcare workers must be allowed to perform their duties in an environment free from violence, intimidation and harassment.
He stressed that the Federal Government would continue working with relevant institutions to safeguard healthcare personnel, uphold the rule of law and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services across the country.
The minister warned that anyone found assaulting, threatening, intimidating or harassing health workers would face investigation and prosecution under existing criminal, civil or administrative laws.
He noted that although Nigeria currently lacks a specific legislation dedicated solely to violence against health workers, offenders would still be prosecuted under applicable laws, while victims could also receive compensation where necessary.
“The absence of a specific law relating solely to violence against health workers will not prevent enforcement through existing criminal, civil or administrative laws,” the minister said.
As part of the new safety measures, all Federal Tertiary Health Institutions have been directed to strengthen internal security arrangements by establishing Violence Prevention Teams to coordinate responses to incidents within hospital premises.
Hospitals are also expected to upgrade surveillance systems, tighten access control, improve visitor identification procedures and reinforce security around emergency units and other sensitive service areas.
Kachollom further directed every federal health institution to appoint liaison officers to coordinate with law enforcement agencies while ensuring that security operations within hospitals do not jeopardise patient care or disrupt essential medical services.
She said all incidents involving assault, threats or harassment must be promptly reported, investigated and properly documented.
Affected health workers, she added, should receive institutional support, counselling and appropriate referrals where necessary.
Hospital managements were equally instructed to strengthen complaint resolution mechanisms, improve communication with patients and train staff on conflict prevention and de-escalation strategies as part of broader workplace safety reforms.
Beyond the immediate directives, the permanent secretary disclosed that wider policy recommendations contained in the committee’s report would be presented before the next National Council on Health for possible adoption as a national framework applicable to federal, state and private health institutions.
She added that the ministry would closely monitor implementation through defined timelines and periodic progress reports to ensure full compliance.
“The Federal Government affirms that no grievance, disagreement or official assignment constitutes lawful justification for violence against a health worker or interference with the delivery of healthcare,” Kachollom said.
She maintained that existing laws would be fully enforced, offenders held accountable and all lawful measures deployed to secure health facilities, protect healthcare workers and guarantee uninterrupted patient care.
The latest intervention comes amid growing concerns over increasing cases of attacks on healthcare workers, a development medical associations have repeatedly warned is contributing to poor staff morale, industrial disputes and the migration of skilled professionals from Nigeria’s health sector.
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