By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has directed the immediate implementation of sweeping measures to protect health workers across Nigeria, following rising cases of harassment, intimidation and assault within health facilities.
The directive comes after the submission of a report by a Ministerial Committee set up to investigate incidents involving health workers and security personnel, particularly a disruption at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State. The incident, which involved operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, led to service interruptions and industrial action by health workers.
Findings from the committee revealed that the Uyo incident was not isolated, with at least 18 reported cases of harassment, assault or intimidation recorded across federal tertiary health institutions in the past year. These incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel, resulting in injuries, psychological trauma, damage to hospital property and disruption of healthcare services.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has approved the committee’s recommendations and ordered their immediate implementation, stressing the need to ensure a safe working environment for healthcare professionals.
He stated that health workers must be able to perform their duties without fear of violence or harassment, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s healthcare system and upholding the rule of law.
As part of the measures, the government directed that anyone found assaulting or harassing health workers will be investigated and prosecuted under existing laws. Health institutions are also required to strengthen internal security systems, establish Violence Prevention Teams and improve surveillance and access control, especially in sensitive areas such as emergency units.
Additionally, hospitals must designate liaison officers to work with law enforcement agencies, ensuring that security operations within medical facilities do not disrupt patient care or compromise confidentiality. Clear rules of engagement are also to be established to guide such operations.
The directive further mandates prompt reporting, documentation and investigation of all incidents involving health workers, alongside institutional support for affected personnel. Serious cases are to be escalated to relevant law enforcement and human rights bodies.
Hospital managements have also been instructed to improve communication with patients, strengthen complaint-handling mechanisms and provide staff training on conflict prevention and de-escalation.
The Federal Government noted that broader policy recommendations from the committee will be presented to the National Council on Health for the development of a comprehensive national framework applicable to federal, state and private health institutions.
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The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will oversee the implementation of the measures, with periodic progress reports to be submitted to the minister.
Reaffirming its stance, the government emphasized that no grievance or official duty justifies violence against health workers or interference with healthcare delivery, warning that offenders will be held accountable under the law.
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