The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned Nigerians against harassing, intimidating or assaulting healthcare workers, stressing that medical personnel should not be blamed for every death recorded in hospitals.
NMA President, Prof. Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, said a National Policy Against Intimidation and Harassment of Healthcare Workers was now in place to address the problem. He said the policy requires hospitals to provide adequate security and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted and, where appropriate, made to compensate affected workers.
Omoti said many confrontations arise from grief, miscommunication and misconceptions about medical care, noting that some patients arrive at hospitals in critical conditions and may not survive despite efforts by medical teams. He stressed that no one has the right to assault health workers or damage their property.
The NMA president also disclosed that some hospitals were installing CCTV cameras to improve security and provide evidence when incidents occur, while urging wider deployment in emergency units. He called for stronger public education to help patients and relatives understand hospital procedures and reduce tensions.
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