The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of health workers across Nigeria following rising cases of harassment, intimidation and assaults in health facilities nationwide.
The directive was announced on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Daju Kachollom, after the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, accepted the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel and directed the immediate implementation of its recommendations with an accompanying action plan. According to the ministry, the measures are aimed at improving the safety of health workers, preventing similar incidents and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
Kachollom said the committee was constituted on May 19 following an incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State.
She said the incident disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action, prompting the Federal Government to establish a committee to investigate the matter and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences nationwide.
Speaking on the committee’s findings, Kachollom said the investigation showed that the Uyo incident was not an isolated case. She disclosed that 18 cases of assault, intimidation or harassment were reported across federal tertiary health institutions within the preceding 12 months.
According to her, the reported incidents involved patients, their relatives, members of the public and security personnel. She said the attacks resulted in bodily injuries, psychological harm, damage to hospital property and disruption of healthcare services.
Kachollom added that the committee identified poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, deficient infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and the absence of clear security protocols as factors contributing to the incidents.
Following the submission of the report, Pate accepted the committee’s recommendations and ordered their immediate implementation alongside an accompanying action plan.
Pate said health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and should be able to perform their duties in an environment that is safe, secure and free from violence, intimidation or harassment.
“The Federal Government will continue to work with all relevant institutions to protect our health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure that healthcare delivery is never compromised,” the minister said.
He warned that anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker would be investigated and prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists under the applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Pate said the absence of a specific law relating solely to violence against health workers would not prevent authorities from enforcing existing criminal, civil or administrative laws, including applicable sanctions and compensation.
He also directed federal tertiary health institutions to strengthen internal security arrangements and establish Violence Prevention Teams to improve safety within health facilities nationwide.
According to the ministry, the institutions are also expected to improve access control, surveillance systems, visitor identification procedures and security around emergency units and other sensitive service areas to safeguard healthcare delivery.
Kachollom further directed every institution to designate liaison officers to engage with law enforcement agencies and ensure that security operations within hospitals do not endanger patients or interrupt essential healthcare services.
She said all cases of assault, threats or harassment within health facilities must be promptly reported, investigated and documented, while affected health workers should receive institutional support and appropriate referrals where necessary.
Hospital managements were also directed to strengthen complaint-handling procedures, improve communication with patients and train staff in conflict prevention and de-escalation as part of broader workplace safety initiatives.
Kachollom said broader policy recommendations contained in the report would be presented to the next National Council on Health for consideration towards adopting a national framework covering federal, state and private health institutions.
She added that the ministry would monitor implementation through assigned responsibilities and timelines, with periodic progress reports submitted to the Coordinating Minister to ensure effective compliance nationwide.
“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 added that existing laws would be enforced, offenders would be held accountable, and all lawful measures would be taken to secure health facilities, protect health workers and safeguard uninterrupted patient care.
