The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), yesterday threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action over the growing wave of assaults, harassment and intimidation of healthcare workers across the country.Â
The association issued the warning amid rising attacks on doctors and nurses in hospitals and others health workers, accusing the Federal Government and security agencies of failing to protect healthcare personnel from violence, intimidation and unlawful arrests.
NARD disclosed that no fewer than 17 tertiary health institutions recorded cases of attacks on doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers within one year, warning that the deteriorating situation could cripple healthcare services if urgent action is not taken.
The latest outrage followed the controversial raid by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, where Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Deputy Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, was arrested.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation in the medical community and forced the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in Akwa-Ibom State to embark on an indefinite strike action. The association also threatened legal action against the anti-graft agency, demanding ₦1 billion damages over the alleged assault.
However, in an issued statement signed in May and made available to newsmen yesterday, NARD lamented that hospitals across Nigeria were gradually becoming unsafe for healthcare professionals.
The association warned that unless concrete, visible and decisive steps are taken to halt attacks on doctors and prosecute offenders before the end of its 2026 Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), it would no longer guarantee industrial peace.
“If by the end of May 2026 OGM, concrete, visible and decisive steps are not taken to curb this menace and bring all assailants to justice, the NARD National Officers’ Committee and other constitutional organs of the association will not guarantee industrial peace after the OGM. We are, by this statement, putting the Federal Government and all relevant authorities on notice”, the statement read.
NARD said affected health institutions include: the University College Hospital, Ibadan; Federal Medical Centre, Owo; Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara; and General Hospital, Warri.
Others are: Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki; Federal Medical Centre, Jabi; Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin; Usman ÆŠanfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto; University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu; Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo; National Hospital, Abuja; and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.
The association disclosed that more than 90% of victims of the attacks are resident doctors who suffered physical injuries, emotional trauma, destruction of valuables and lasting psychological scars.
