The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has thrown its weight behind a 48-hour warning strike initiated by doctors at the Central Hospital, Warri. This action follows the physical assault of two resident doctors by the bereaved father of a newborn. NARD described the incident as a stark illustration of the escalating violence faced by healthcare professionals across Nigeria.
The attack occurred on Saturday at the hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit. The doctors, a Senior Registrar and a House Officer, were assaulted after delivering the news of a newborn’s death to the child’s father. The Delta State Hospitals Management Board oversees the facility.
In a joint statement, NARD’s President, Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary, Abdulmajeed Ibrahim, strongly condemned the assault. They noted that the doctors were conveying sad news as part of their professional duties when they were subjected to an unjustifiable and barbaric reaction.
The suspect has been apprehended and is currently in police custody. NARD stressed the importance of swift justice and highlighted that this incident underscores a growing and unacceptable pattern of violence against healthcare workers in Nigeria.
NARD is demanding the immediate and diligent prosecution of the assailant to deter future occurrences. Additionally, the association called for the urgent deployment of adequate and functional security measures across all health facilities. They also requested comprehensive compensation, protection, and psychosocial support for the affected doctors.
The association expressed its unwavering solidarity with its colleagues, stating that no healthcare worker should endure violence for performing their lawful duties. NARD justified the industrial action in Warri as a legitimate demand for safety, dignity, and respect in the workplace.
Beyond this specific incident, NARD raised concerns about alleged intimidation of its members and cautioned authorities against any reprisken. They warned that any attempt to victimise their members would be met with firm, coordinated, and uncompromising resistance from NARD at all levels.
The association further cautioned that continued repression could heighten tensions within the health sector. They warned that any act of victimisation or repression could have far-reaching consequences, potentially disrupting healthcare services and escalating to coordinated regional and nationwide industrial action.
The safety of healthcare workers is a mounting global and national concern. The World Health Organisation reports that between 8 and 38 per cent of health workers experience physical violence during their careers. Experts in Nigeria link such incidents to systemic issues like poor infrastructure, workforce shortages, and care delays.
NARD reiterated its call for urgent legal reforms to protect medical personnel. They stated that it is time for concrete legislative measures to criminalise assaults on healthcare workers and enforce strict penalties against offenders, concluding with the sentiment, “An injury to one doctor is an injury to all.”
