Members of the Resident Doctors in Nasarawa State (ARD) has announced a three-day warning strike commencing on Tuesday 30th January to Friday 2nd February, 2023.
The decision to embark on the warning strike is at the behest of an incident where a doctor with internal medicine is said to have assaulted by a patient’s relative at Specialist Hospital Lafia.
According to the Association in a document obtained by Krestnews and Adeleke Yakubu, President Resident Doctors Nasarawa State indicates that the Doctor was assaulted by the Patient relations while carrying out his lawful medical check on his client.
“During a routine examination, the doctor, whose name is being withheld for security purposes, was attempting to have a conversation with his patient. However, a verbal confrontation escalated when a relative appeared on the scene and became aggressive towards the doctor. This escalated further, resulting in the doctor being physically assaulted by one Alh. Uba Muhammed Muhammad”
Adeleke Yakubu in the statement reveals that the Alh. Uba Muhammed Muhammad was promptly arrested and taken to the “A” Division police station.
The ARD however said they were shocked that the police hurriedly charged him to court where was released on bail shortly afterwards.
They that was not all that the man brazenly returned to the hospital to engage in yet another display of arrogance, defiance of the law of the land and according to the ARD,the claimed that this is their land and they can act just anyhow above the law.
According to the doctors such act was not only distressing but that such a flagrant disregard for the safety of medical professionals has deeply concerned the resident doctors of Nasarawa State.
They are calling on the State Government and management of the Specialist Hospital to take immediate action against the accused individual to guarantee their safety.
“This is why ARD Nasarawa State made the decision to engage in a three-day warning strike to call attention to this issue and demand justice for their assaulted colleague.
“Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) Nasarawa believes that healthcare providers should be able to carry out their duties without the fear of physical assault or intimidation. They emphasized the importance of a safe and conducive working environment for medical professionals, highlighting the role it plays in ensuring quality healthcare delivery to the people of Nasarawa State”, it says
During this three-day warning strike, the ARD Nasarawa has called on all stakeholders to intervene and address the urgent matter of the assault on their colleague.
According to the Association, they expect the state government and hospital management to take swift and decisive action against Alh. Uba Muhammed Muhammad, ensuring that he faces the full consequences of his actions stressing that only through such actions can the ARD Nasarawa begin to rebuild trust and confidence in the healthcare system.
The reiterated their committed to providing quality healthcare services to the people of Nasarawa State while being hopeful that their warning strike will serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders, leading to the necessary measures taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all medical professionals.