Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State, staged a peaceful protest on Monday following the alleged assault of one of their colleagues by relatives of a patient.
The demonstration, organised by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo branch, was aimed at drawing attention to what the association described as a growing pattern of attacks on healthcare workers within the hospital.
Carrying placards with messages including “Say No to Violence Against Healthcare Workers” and “The Hands That Heal Should Not Bleed,” the protesters marched through the hospital premises while calling for urgent action to protect medical personnel.
Speaking during the protest, ARD Chairman, Dr. Oluwadamilola Adeola, said incidents of assault against health workers had become increasingly frequent, with several cases reportedly recorded this year alone.
According to him, the protest was intended to raise awareness and send a clear message that violence against healthcare professionals would no longer be tolerated.
Dr. Adeola called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the latest incident and urged authorities to ensure swift justice. He also demanded a public apology from the alleged perpetrators, stating that such action would serve as a deterrent to future attacks.
The association further requested improved security at the facility, including the deployment of armed security personnel and tighter access control at hospital entrances to create a safer working environment.
He disclosed that concerns over staff safety had already led to industrial action at the hospital’s Akure annex, adding that normal activities may resume only if adequate measures are introduced.
Dr. Adeola also referenced an earlier unresolved case involving an assaulted healthcare worker who was reportedly hospitalised and later threatened by the alleged attacker.
He warned that failure to address security concerns could affect industrial peace within the institution and stressed the need for urgent intervention by hospital management and relevant authorities.
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