FG: Attack on health workers will attract prosecution

The federal government has ordered the immediate rollout of measures aimed at improving the safety and protection of health workers nationwide.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Daju Kachollom, permanent secretary at the ministry of health and social welfare, said the directive followed the submission of a report by the ministerial committee investigating the harassment of health workers by security operatives.

Kachollom said the committee was inaugurated on May 19, 2026, after an incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom state.

“The incident disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action,” the statement reads.

The statement said the committee reviewed reports from federal tertiary health institutions and consulted professional bodies, regulators, security agencies, and human rights organisations while carrying out its assignment.

“In carrying out its assignment, the committee reviewed reports from federal tertiary health institutions and consulted relevant professional, regulatory, security, and human rights bodies.

“The committee found that the Uyo incident was not isolated. Eighteen incidents of assault, intimidation, or harassment were reported across federal tertiary health institutions within the preceding twelve months, involving patients, relatives, members of the public, and security personnel.”

According to the statement, the reported incidents resulted in physical injuries, psychological trauma, destruction of hospital property, interruptions to healthcare services, and industrial actions.

Kachollom identified poor communication, long waiting periods, staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure, emotional stress, abuse of authority, and the lack of clear security procedures as some of the factors contributing to the incidents.

“Upon receiving the report, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, accepted the committee’s recommendations and directed their immediate implementation in accordance with the accompanying action plan,” the statement reads.

“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.”

She said the committee recommended that federal tertiary health institutions improve security measures, ensure attacks on health workers are investigated and prosecuted, and establish violence prevention teams.

“Anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker shall be investigated and, where the evidence so warrants, prosecuted under the applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement reads.

The permanent secretary added that the committee also recommended prompt reporting of such incidents and regular training for health workers.

She said broader policy proposals would be submitted to the National Council on Health for consideration and adoption.

In May, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) called for a presidential directive mandating the strict prosecution of anyone who attacks healthcare workers or unlawfully enters health facilities across the country.

Mohammad Suleiman, president of NARD, expressed “grave outrage and deep concern” over what the association described as the increasing cases of violence, intimidation, harassment, and assaults against healthcare workers in Nigeria.