NARD slams assault and arrest of doctor after patient dies in Ogun

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has condemned the attack and arrest of a doctor and two other health workers after a patient died at the Mother and Child Hospital in Mowe, Ogun State. This hospital is part of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital (NPH), Aro.

In a statement released on Thursday, NARD called the incident “barbaric.” They criticized the police for not arresting those behind the attack.

The association explained that the incident happened after a seriously ill patient died during emergency treatment at the hospital. Relatives of the deceased reportedly attacked a doctor and other health workers, claiming that the doctor “killed” the patient.

NARD stated that the doctor, a nurse, and an administrative staff member who tried to help the doctor during the attack were later arrested by the police. “In an even more disturbing twist, the police reportedly arrested the assaulted doctor, alongside a nurse and an administrative staff member who had merely attempted to rescue the doctor from the violent attack, while the actual assailants walked free,” the statement said.

Although the doctor has been granted bail, NARD mentioned that “the matter remains unresolved, and justice is yet to be served.” They are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those allegedly involved in the attack.

The association also demanded “adequate compensation” for the doctor, nurse, and administrative staff affected by the incident. They highlighted the “physical assault, emotional trauma, and defamation suffered” by the victims.

NARD further requested that security measures be improved in health facilities to protect both healthcare workers and patients. They want clear promises from security agencies and government officials that healthcare workers “will no longer be subjected to such degrading treatment.”

The association pointed out that attacks on healthcare workers are becoming more common across the country. They called for urgent action from authorities to stop this trend.

“This continuous trend of harassment, bullying, intimidation, and physical assault on health workers across Nigeria has become unacceptable, intolerable, and must be decisively addressed by relevant authorities,” the statement added.

This incident is just one of several reported attacks on healthcare workers across Nigeria.