Bisola David
Due to an alleged assault on a colleague, the Nigeria Association of Government Medical and Dental Practitioners at the General Hospital in Ilorin have started a two-day strike.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that speaking on behalf of the organization, Dr. Ola Ahmed, Head of the Nigeria Medical Association, said that the regular threats to the doctors’ lives had prompted them to take time off.
“The doctors have unanimously decided that no doctors will work in the hospital for the next 48 hours following an emergency congress. We are sick of being used as a scapegoat by the public,” he declared.
Ahmed claimed that one of the doctors at the general hospital was attacked and assaulted by a Sergeant who was a part of the mobile police unit.
He described how a police sergeant who had brought his sick wife for treatment attacked the doctor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology unit at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“The doctor performed the required tests, and she was later released. Nonetheless, the sergeant returned to the hospital and attacked the medical professional who had just examined his wife.
“The sergeant complained that the doctor did not obtain his permission before checking his wife and that it is a taboo in his culture,” he said.
Ahmed emphasized that the woman was an adult, not a minor and that a chaperone was present before the test was administered.
He noted that the doctor was hurt before being freed from the police officer.
He described how a police sergeant who had brought his sick wife for treatment attacked the doctor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology unit at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“The doctor performed the required tests, and she was later released. Nonetheless, the sergeant returned to the hospital and attacked the medical professional who had just examined his wife.
He added, “The sergeant complained that the doctor did not obtain his permission before checking his wife and that it is a taboo in his culture.
Ahmed emphasized that the woman was an adult, not a minor, and that a chaperone was present before the test was administered.
He noted that the doctor was hurt before being freed from the police officer.
Nonetheless, he pointed out that the Police had already detained and arrested the accused personnel.
“The fact that this is occurring to us is dreadful. Our workload is heavy in addition to all the societal problems, such as the Naira and the fuel shortage.
“Those who we are attempting to save are abusing and attacking doctors. We arrive at work as early as 7 a.m. and leave late.
“We have utilized every available tool to educate the public by way of jingles, banners, and talk programs on the need to stop attacking doctors.
“A similar occurrence occurred at the teaching hospital of the University of Ilorin but we won’t let our doctors pass away if people are willing to use the legislation, he declared.”
In order to protect the lives of their members, Ahmed clarified that they are not in any way criticizing the state administration.
The Chief Medical Director of General Hospital, Ilorin, Dr. Bola Abdulkadir, responded to the development by saying that management was aware of the event and was taking all necessary steps to defuse the situation.
Abdulkadir added that the state administration was aware of the incident and was taking all reasonable measures to protect medical professionals.
“We kindly remind them that the management and the state government are making every effort to avoid a similar circumstance in the future.
“There would still be little services provided because “the Consultants will continue to care for patients,” he stressed.
The CMD applauded the sacrifices made by the medical personnel in order to preserve patients’ lives in the hospital.
