The federal government has ordered the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of Health workers nationwide following a rise in harassment, intimidation and assault in healthcare facilities.
The directive follows the submission of a report by the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom.
The committee was constituted on 19 May after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission clashed with workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State, disrupting clinical services and triggering industrial action.
Kachollom said the committee reviewed reports from federal tertiary health institutions and consulted professional, regulatory, security and human rights bodies before submitting its findings. It found the Uyo incident was not isolated, documenting 18 cases of assault, intimidation or harassment across federal tertiary health institutions in the preceding 12 months. The incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel, resulting in bodily injuries, psychological harm, property damage and service disruptions.
Contributory factors identified included poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, deficient infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and the absence of clear security protocols.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Pate accepted the committee’s recommendations and ordered immediate implementation with an accompanying action plan. Pate said health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must operate in an environment safe from violence, intimidation or harassment. He warned that anyone who assaults, threatens or harasses a health worker would be investigated and prosecuted under applicable Nigerian laws.
“The absence of a specific law relating solely to violence against health workers would not prevent enforcement through existing criminal, civil or administrative laws, including applicable sanctions and compensation,” Pate said.
Federal tertiary health institutions have been directed to strengthen internal security arrangements and establish Violence Prevention Teams. They must also improve access control, surveillance systems, visitor identification procedures and security around emergency units and other sensitive areas.
Every institution must designate liaison officers for engagement with law enforcement agencies and ensure security operations do not endanger patients or interrupt essential services. All incidents of assault, threats or harassment must be promptly reported, investigated and documented, with affected workers receiving institutional support and appropriate referrals.
Hospital managements were also directed to strengthen complaint-handling procedures, improve patient communication and train staff in conflict prevention and de-escalation.
Broader policy recommendations will be presented to the next National Council on Health for consideration towards a national framework covering federal, state and private health institutions. The ministry will monitor implementation against assigned responsibilities and timelines, with periodic progress reports submitted to the coordinating minister.
“The federal government affirms that no grievance, disagreement or official assignment constitutes lawful justification for violence against a health worker or interference with the delivery of healthcare,” Kachollom said. Existing laws will be enforced, offenders held accountable and all lawful measures taken to secure health facilities and safeguard uninterrupted patient care.
