Probe adjourned after complainant's absence

The Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Alagbon, Lagos, postponed investigation into a case involving four nurses and Abby's Paediatric Care until next Tuesday after the complainant and its legal representative failed to appear.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Elegant Nurses Forum, which said the affected nurses honoured a police invitation on Tuesday, June 30, accompanied by a lawyer from the Lagos Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement.

According to the forum, the matter could not proceed after the complainant and its legal representative were absent at the FCID, prompting investigators to adjourn the case to next week.

Despite the delay, the four nurses made statements before investigating officers, where they restated the concerns that culminated in the dispute.

Nurses restate welfare and workplace concerns

According to the statement, the nurses alleged that they had been subjected to poor welfare, persistent underpayment, delays in salary payment, disrespect by management and an unhealthy working environment.

They also raised concerns over alleged interference with patient care and professional nursing responsibilities.

Specifically, the nurses alleged that the hospital's Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Ojelabi Kehinde Imoleoluwa Hannah, who they claimed is not a medical practitioner but a relative of the hospital owner, frequently interrupted nurses while they attended to patients and provided health education.

According to them, such actions interfered with their professional clinical responsibilities and could undermine quality healthcare delivery.

The affected nurses were identified as Tayo-Etimiri Omosekemi, Ajani Adedoyin, Ajiku Oluwakemisola and Anyanwu Prince.

Police conduct and forum response

The forum said the nurses commended the conduct of police officers throughout the exercise.

According to the affected Nurses, the officers at FCID conducted themselves professionally throughout the process. They reported that they were treated with respect and dignity, and that there was no form of intimidation, harassment or maltreatment while at the police facility,

— Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, National Coordinator, Elegant Nurses Forum

The forum also praised the officers for their professionalism and for allowing due process to take its course, while commending the nurses for their courage.

>> "The Elegant Nurses Forum remains committed to defending the rights, dignity and professional independence of Nurses. Healthcare workers should never be intimidated, victimised or subjected to harassment for speaking up about poor working conditions or practices that may compromise patient safety. Constructive reporting of workplace concerns is a responsibility of every healthcare professional and should never be treated as a crime," - Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, National Coordinator, Elegant Nurses Forum

The statement maintained that healthcare workers should not be intimidated or victimised for raising concerns about workplace conditions or practices capable of compromising patient safety.

Calls for regulatory and professional scrutiny

The forum called on the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, to carry out a comprehensive inspection and investigation into Abby's Paediatric Care, including its clinical practices, management structure, staffing and compliance with healthcare regulations.

It urged the agency to take appropriate regulatory action, including temporary closure of the hospital, if investigations confirm the allegations and reveal risks to patient safety.

The forum also called on the Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, to investigate the complaints affecting members of the profession, while urging the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to examine issues relating to professional ethics, patient safety and medical practice arising from the allegations.

It further appealed to labour unions, civil society organisations and relevant labour authorities to investigate allegations of delayed salaries, poor welfare and underpayment, while urging healthcare employers across the country to respect the professional boundaries of nurses and other healthcare workers.

Legal support and hospital response

The statement expressed appreciation to the Lagos Take-It-Back Movement, particularly Barrister Bolaji, Head of the movement's Legal Department, for providing legal representation, guidance and transport support to the affected nurses.

It was signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, National Coordinator of the Elegant Nurses Forum.

As of the time of filing this report, Abby's Paediatric Care had not publicly responded to the allegations, while police investigation into the matter was ongoing.