The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has commenced a three-day warning strike following the alleged assault of two doctors and several other hospital workers at the hospital’s Emergency Department.
The association announced the industrial action in a communiqué issued on Saturday and signed by its President, Dr. Uthman Adedeji, and General Secretary, Dr. Mary Awodiji. According to the doctors, the strike began on Friday night and will end at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
The ARD said the action became necessary in response to repeated attacks on healthcare workers and to press for stronger security measures within the hospital.
According to the communiqué, the decision was reached during an Emergency General Meeting held at the ARD Lounge, UCH, Ibadan.
The association stated that the Emergency Department descended into chaos after a relative of a deceased patient, identified as Mr. Sarafa Oyenigba, allegedly assaulted Dr. Oladapo Olatunbosun and Dr. Mololuwa Adebayo.
The doctors further alleged that a Deputy Director of Nursing, security personnel, and the hospital’s Service Manager were also attacked during the incident.
According to the association, the suspect had earlier verbally abused members of staff before allegedly stripping the doctors of their clothing and threatening further violence after his arrest.
Commenting on the incident, the ARD criticised the conduct of a security officer on duty, accusing the officer of failing to call for reinforcement despite warnings that the suspect posed a threat.
The association described the security response as “grossly incompetent”, adding that the attack could have been prevented.
However, the doctors commended the management of UCH for facilitating the prompt arrest of the suspect and others allegedly involved in the incident.
The association demanded that Mr. Oyenigba be remanded in police custody and prosecuted without delay.
ARD UCH also expressed concern over what it described as recurring assaults on doctors within the institution, recalling that another doctor, Dr. Moshood Adeyemo, was assaulted about six weeks ago.
According to the association, although the earlier case involving Adeyemo was resolved without invoking the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ assault protocol, the repeated attacks have now compelled members to take industrial action.
The doctors explained that the NARD protocol mandates an immediate 72-hour strike whenever an assault on a member is confirmed, but noted that they had initially exercised restraint to avoid disrupting healthcare services.
The association advised the affected doctors to seek medical and psychological support through the hospital’s Staff Medical Services.
It also called on the hospital management to install visible warning signs across the hospital declaring zero tolerance for violence against healthcare workers.
The ARD further urged management to publish press statements and newspaper notices reaffirming its stance against attacks on staff members.
Among other demands, the association called for regular training for security personnel and requested that the security officer on duty during the incident be officially queried.
The doctors stressed that the warning strike was not directed at the hospital management, but was intended to send a strong message against violence targeting healthcare workers.
The association added that it would reconvene after the strike to assess the actions taken by management in response to its demands.
READ ALSO: NMA Begins Indefinite Strike Over Alleged EFCC Assault on UUTH Staff
