NMA calls on Akwa Ibom government to boost security for doctors

The Akwa Ibom State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association has urged the state government to quickly improve security and the welfare of doctors and other health workers.

In a post on its Facebook page, the association made this request after a two-day retreat in Uyo. This meeting followed new worries about attacks on healthcare workers and disruptions to services at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

The retreat took place from September 5 to 7 in Uyo. Members of the NMA-AKS State Officers Committee gathered to discuss issues affecting the medical field and healthcare delivery in the state.

Tiemah Akpabio, the association’s chairman, said the rising incidents of violence against healthcare workers are unacceptable and threaten the ability to provide healthcare. “Doctors and other health workers deserve to work in a safe and secure environment devoid of intimidation and assault. We urge the government and all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to this menace urgently,” Ms Akpabio said.

The NMA chairman praised the state government for its plan to make assault against healthcare professionals a crime. But he also called on the government to ensure this law is enforced quickly.

This demand comes just days after resident doctors at UUTH called off an indefinite strike that started after a house officer was reportedly assaulted at the hospital. The Association of Resident Doctors began the strike on September 3 after an elderly woman allegedly attacked the doctor.

The NMA had asked the hospital management and security agencies to find and punish those responsible while improving security in health facilities across the state. The strike ended two days later after the woman's family apologized and hospital management took action.

Ms Akpabio told PREMIUM TIMES that the hospital management agreed to set up a committee to suggest ways to protect healthcare workers. This recent incident marks the second major security issue that has affected services at UUTH in four months.

In May, PREMIUM TIMES reported that doctors in Akwa Ibom went on an indefinite strike after operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission disrupted the hospital. This incident also led to allegations of assault and intimidation of medical staff.

The NMA later canceled the strike after the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, apologized publicly for the incident. The May crisis highlighted the impact of insecurity on health facilities. UUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Emem Bassey, warned during the strike that critically ill patients, pregnant women, and dialysis patients were suffering due to the disruptions.

After this incident, the federal government ordered measures to protect health workers from harassment. A committee found 18 cases of assault, intimidation, or harassment at federal tertiary health institutions in the past year.

In light of these events, the NMA-AKS retreat focused heavily on the welfare of its members. The association shared that its treasurer presented a “legacy budget” to guide the branch’s finances. The State Officers Committee also reaffirmed its commitment to putting members’ welfare first.