Immediate Implementation of Safety Directives

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate enforcement of stricter measures to protect health workers across the country after revealing that no fewer than 18 cases of assault, intimidation, and harassment were recorded in federal tertiary health institutions within the past year. This directive follows growing concerns over the safety of medical personnel and the stability of clinical services in public facilities.

The decision was prompted by the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel. This committee was established following a significant confrontation between operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and health workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State in May 2026. The incident disrupted medical operations and led to industrial action, highlighting the vulnerability of frontline staff.

Daju Kachollom, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, announced on Wednesday that the Coordinating Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has approved the committee's recommendations for nationwide implementation. The ministry indicated that the Uyo incident was not an isolated case but part of a broader national challenge affecting the healthcare workforce.

Findings of the Ministerial Committee

The committee's investigation involved reviews of reports from various federal hospitals and consultations with professional bodies, regulatory agencies, security organizations, and human rights groups. It found that the 18 recorded incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public, and security personnel. These encounters resulted in bodily injuries, psychological trauma, and the destruction of hospital property.

Several systemic factors were identified as contributors to the recurring violence. These include poor communication between healthcare providers and patients, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, and poor infrastructure. The report also cited emotional distress among families, abuse of authority by certain individuals, and a lack of clear security protocols as primary drivers of these attacks.

Strengthening Security and Legal Accountability

To curb these trends, the Federal Government has directed that any individual who assaults or intimidates a health worker must be investigated and prosecuted under existing criminal, civil, or administrative laws. The ministry emphasized that the current absence of specific legislation criminalizing violence against health workers would not hinder prosecution, as existing legal provisions will be fully utilized to ensure accountability and compensation.

Under the new directives, federal tertiary health institutions must enhance their internal security by taking the following steps:

• Establishing dedicated Violence Prevention Teams within the facility.
• Upgrading surveillance systems and digital monitoring.
• Improving visitor identification and access control, particularly in emergency units.
• Appointing liaison officers to coordinate activities with law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, hospital managements are required to ensure that security operations do not compromise patient safety or violate confidentiality. Every reported case of harassment must be documented, and affected health workers are to receive institutional support, with serious cases being referred to regulatory or human rights authorities.

National Policy Framework and Commitment

Beyond immediate security upgrades, the ministry plans to present wider policy recommendations at the next National Council on Health. This aims to create a comprehensive national framework to guide federal, state, and private health institutions in managing workplace safety and conflict de-escalation. Hospital leadership has also been tasked with improving complaint resolution mechanisms to restore public confidence.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized that protecting the workforce is fundamental to the survival of the national health system.

Health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to carry out their duties in an environment that is safe, secure and free from violence, intimidation or harassment. The Federal Government will continue to work with all relevant institutions to protect our health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure that healthcare delivery is never compromised.

— Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

The ministry stated that the implementation of these directives will be monitored through periodic progress reports. While the government's response signals a stronger commitment to safety, the disclosure of 18 major attacks in a single year underscores the longstanding challenges in public health security and the urgent need for robust conflict management systems.