Ondo doctors protest assault on colleague, condemn repeated attacks
By Boye Oyeyemi
Healthcare services were grounded at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, on Monday as resident doctors embarked on a protest and strike action following the alleged assault of a colleague by a patient’s relative.
The action, organised by the Association of Resident Doctors, disrupted medical activities as doctors marched within the hospital premises carrying placards and demanding protection for healthcare workers.
Speaking during the protest, the ARD President, Dr Oluwadamilola Adeola, said the latest incident reflected a growing pattern of attacks on health personnel, revealing that the hospital had recorded at least four cases of assault this year.
Adeola lamented that many incidents were not officially reported, stressing that the demonstration was aimed at creating awareness and sending a strong message that violence against healthcare workers would no longer be tolerated.
He said the association was demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged attacker, deployment of armed security personnel to vulnerable sections of the hospital and a public apology from the suspect.
The ARD chairman also expressed concern over alleged threats by the assailant to return and attack medical staff, adding that doctors would remain on strike until adequate security measures were put in place.
A Senior Registrar in the Department of Family Medicine, Dr Dotun Odunmade, said the protest underscored the association’s zero-tolerance stance on attacks against doctors, nurses and other health professionals. He urged aggrieved patients and relatives to use established complaint channels rather than resort to violence.
Responding on behalf of the management, the Acting Head of Clinical Services, Dr Akinola Adeyemi, sympathised with the assaulted doctor and assured workers that efforts were underway to prosecute those responsible and strengthen security within the hospital, including the possible deployment of armed personnel.
