Kwara lawmakers seek tougher measures to curb attacks on health workers
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
Lawmakers in the Kwara State House of Assembly on Wednesday called for stronger measures to end the growing assault on healthcare workers by patients’ relatives across the state.
The debate followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Hon. Ogunniyi David Sheun, and seconded by Hon. Mariam Yusuf, who represents Ilorin South Constituency, on the need to discourage attacks on health workers by patients’ relatives.
Leading the debate, Ogunniyi described healthcare workers as the backbone of the health system, saying they play a critical role in saving lives, particularly those of mothers, children and other vulnerable groups.
The lawmaker expressed concern that health workers in primary healthcare centres, general hospitals and maternity facilities across Kwara increasingly face verbal abuse, threats, physical assault and destruction of hospital property, especially after medical emergencies, childbirth complications or patient deaths.
Following the debate, the house urged Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to direct the Ministries of Justice and Health to develop and implement a legal framework that adopts zero tolerance for violence in public health facilities and criminalises assaults on healthcare workers with swift prosecution of offenders.
The lawmakers also called on the governor to strengthen security in public hospitals through the deployment of trained security personnel, installation of CCTV cameras and controlled access to sensitive areas, while urging health workers to improve communication with patients and their relatives to reduce unnecessary tension.
In addition, the assembly appealed to the governor to direct the Ministries of Health and Communications to launch a statewide public awareness campaign on the limits of medical care, the dangers of delayed hospital visits and the legal consequences of assaulting healthcare workers.
