UITH’s resident doctors protest attack on colleague, management backs protest

By Ola Taiwo

Resident doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on Thursday stayed off their duties as they protested an alleged attack on one of their colleagues by a mother of a child patient.

The dcctors’ action led to disruption of medical services at the UITH with out-patients of the hospital who were not attended to returning home in frustration.

The affected doctor was said to have been attacked on Wednesday at the paediatrics department of the hospital by the woman whose sick child the doctor was attending to.

The woman was said to have attacked the doctor after her child died.

She was said to have been arrested while the doctor who is reported to be in critical condition is said to be receiving  medical treatment at the hospital.

The assaulted doctor was reportedly receiving treatment in critical condition, while the woman involved has been arrested. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The protesting doctors who carried placards and marched peacefully within the hospital bemoaned violent attack on medical personnel which they say is becoming a growing trend In the hospital.

Spokesman for the doctors, Dr. E. Oladepo, while addressing patients during the protest, said the latest assault was the third such incident recorded at the hospital and expressed worry at the trend.

He stated: “This is the third time such an incident is happening in this hospital. We cannot continue to work under threats and physical attacks,”

“Should doctors be subjected to this kind of inhuman treatment by people who genuinely want quality healthcare? At a time when many of our colleagues have already left the country for greener pastures, incidents like this only worsen the situation.”

It was learnt from the grapevine  that the industrial action could last for some days as the doctors seek justice for their assaulted colleague

It was further learnt that pending the calling off of the strike consultant physicians may continue attending to emergency cases so that critically ill patients are not denied treatment.

Meanwhile the management of the UITH has thrown its weight behind resident doctors declaring that violence against healthcare workers will not be tolerated.

The management, in a statement issued by the hospital’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Fagbemi Abiodun, described the incident as unfortunate and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of healthcare professionals while ensuring quality care for patients.

The statement said the hospital places the highest priority on the safety of its staff in recognition of their dedication to service, while also maintaining that the well-being of patients remains paramount.

“The Hospital maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of assault—whether verbal or physical—against its healthcare personnel, particularly while they are discharging their professional responsibilities,” the statement reads.

The management noted that it has already put in place peaceful and accessible channels through which patients and their relatives can lodge complaints or seek redress instead of resorting to violence.

It said that warning notices against assaulting healthcare workers have been displayed in strategic locations across the hospital in English and several Nigerian languages to promote awareness and responsible conduct.

Th hospital said in order to forestall a recurrence of the assault,  security personnel across its facilities have been placed on heightened alert to safeguard staff, patients and visitors

The management  expressed full support for the hospita’s  Association of Resident Doctors in pursuing legal action over the incident.

“We understand that the suspect has either been arraigned or is in the process of being arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction as of the time of this statement,” it stated.

The management reaffirmed its resolve to continue providing quality healthcare services in a safe, respectful and welcoming environment.