FG orders measures to protect health workers nationwide after A’Ibom hospital assault

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of health workers nationwide following rising incidents of harassment and assaults.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, made this known via a statement issued late Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

Kachollom said the directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel.

Kachollom said the committee was constituted on May 19, following an incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and workers of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State.

“The incident disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action, prompting the federal government to constitute the committee to investigate the matter and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences nationwide,” she stated.

She said the committee reviewed reports from Federal Tertiary Health Institutions and consulted relevant professional, regulatory, security and human rights bodies before submitting its findings to government.

The permanent secretary said the committee found that the Uyo incident was not isolated, with 18 cases of assault, intimidation or harassment reported across federal tertiary health institutions within the preceding 12 months.

According to Kachollom, the incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel, resulting in bodily injuries, psychological harm, damage to hospital property and service disruptions.

Kachollom added that the committee also identified poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, deficient infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and absence of clear security protocols as contributory factors to the incidents.

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She said following receipt of the report, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, accepted the committee’s recommendations and ordered their immediate implementation with an accompanying action plan.

Pate said: “Health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to carry out 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 warned that anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker would be investigated and prosecuted where evidence warranted under applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.