The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of health workers nationwide following rising cases of harassment and assaults.
The directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, according to a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom.
The committee was set up after an incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, which disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action.
Kachollom said the committee recorded 18 cases of assault, intimidation and harassment across federal tertiary health institutions within the past 12 months. The incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel.
She said the committee identified poor communication, inadequate staffing, deficient infrastructure, emotional distress and weak security protocols as major factors contributing to the incidents.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, approved the committee’s recommendations and directed their immediate implementation.
Under the new measures, federal tertiary health institutions are to establish Violence Prevention Teams, strengthen internal security, improve access control and surveillance, and designate liaison officers to work with law enforcement agencies.
Pate warned that anyone who assaults, threatens or harasses a health worker would be investigated and prosecuted under existing laws. He also directed hospitals to improve complaint-handling systems, enhance patient communication and train staff in conflict prevention.
The ministry said implementation of the recommendations would be monitored nationwide, while broader policy proposals would be presented to the National Council on Health for adoption across federal, state and private health institutions.
