By Taiwo Niyi, KWARA |
The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), has commenced a five-day warning strike in protest against the assault of one of their members.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Ilorin, Dr. Mariam Shiru, the ARD-UITH President, described the attack as part of a disturbing trend of violence against medical professionals in the hospital.
Dr. Shiru revealed that the incident occurred at the Cardiac Centre’s Echocardiography room, where a resident doctor was slapped three times and kicked in the groin by the son of a patient while performing his duties.
“The doctor is devastated, and we are not assured of our security. There is an ambiance of fear and insecurity,” she said.
“We condemn this act of violence in the strongest possible terms. Our members are committed to providing quality care to patients despite the poor state of the hospital facility and chronic manpower shortages.”
She explained that such attacks have become frequent, citing a previous incident where a doctor was pinned against a wall and punched by three relatives of a patient. Despite legal action being taken, she lamented that justice has been delayed for over two years.
Dr. Shiru attributed the rising assaults to inadequate security measures within the hospital premises, adding that theft of valuables, including doctors’ personal belongings, has also been reported.
“The absence of adequate security personnel in UITH has created an environment where doctors are vulnerable to assault and theft. This is unacceptable and poses a significant risk to delivering quality healthcare services,” she said.
The association demanded:
A total overhaul of the hospital’s security system.
Comprehensive medical evaluation of the assaulted doctor at the assailant’s expense.
Payment of damages to the victim.
Swift prosecution of the current case and conclusion of previous cases.
During the protest, the doctors carried placards with messages such as “Doctors’ Lives Matter,” “Stop Violence Against Doctors,” and “Doctors Save Lives, Don’t Kill Us.”
In response, Mrs. Elizabeth Ajiboye, Director of Corporate Affairs, UITH, acknowledged the incident and condemned the attack, attributing the situation to the impatience of the patient’s family.
“The management is on top of the issue, and services at the hospital remain uninterrupted. All our staff are protected because there is a Police post within the hospital premises,” she said.
Ajiboye advised patients to channel their grievances through the Servicom Units instead of resorting to violence.
The association has vowed to continue the strike until their demands for justice and improved security are met.