FG orders immediate action to curb rising attacks on health workers

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of nationwide measures to protect health workers following a surge in assaults, intimidation and harassment across federal health institutions, warning that offenders will face prosecution under existing laws.

The directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, which found that attacks on health workers had become widespread beyond the incident that initially prompted the panel’s inauguration.

The directive was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, who said the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, had approved the committee’s recommendations for immediate implementation.

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The committee was constituted on May 19, 2026, following an incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and members of the hospital workforce. The incident disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action.

In the course of its assignment, the committee reviewed reports from federal tertiary health institutions and consulted professional bodies, regulatory agencies, security organisations and human rights institutions.

Its findings showed that the Uyo incident was not isolated, with 18 cases of assault, intimidation or harassment recorded across federal tertiary health institutions within the previous 12 months.

According to the report, the incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel, resulting in bodily injuries, psychological trauma, damage to hospital property, disruption of clinical services and industrial action.

The committee identified poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, weak infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and the absence of clear security protocols as the major factors responsible for the incidents.

Accepting the report, Pate directed the immediate implementation of its recommendations in line with an accompanying action plan.

“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,” the minister said.

Among the measures approved, the Federal Government directed that anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker should be investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecuted under applicable Nigerian laws.

It stressed that the absence of legislation specifically criminalising violence against health workers would not prevent authorities from applying existing criminal, civil or administrative laws to punish offenders and pursue compensation where necessary.

The government also directed all federal tertiary health institutions to strengthen internal security by establishing Violence Prevention Teams and improving access control, surveillance systems, visitor identification procedures and security around emergency units and other sensitive service areas.

In addition, each institution is to appoint a designated liaison officer to work with law enforcement agencies, while security operations within hospitals must be conducted in ways that do not endanger patients, interrupt treatment, breach confidentiality or disrupt essential health services.

Hospital managements were further instructed to ensure that every incident of assault, threat or harassment is promptly reported, investigated and documented, while affected health workers receive institutional support and serious cases are referred to relevant law enforcement, regulatory or human rights agencies.

The ministry also directed hospitals to strengthen patient complaint-handling mechanisms, improve communication with patients and their families, and provide staff training on conflict prevention and de-escalation as part of broader efforts to improve workplace safety and public confidence in the health system.

It added that the committee’s broader policy recommendations would be presented to the next National Council on Health for consideration towards adopting a national framework applicable to federal, state and private health institutions.

The ministry said implementation of the recommendations would be closely monitored through periodic progress reports to the Coordinating Minister, while reaffirming that no grievance, disagreement or official assignment could justify violence against health workers or interference with healthcare delivery.