Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, and its Akure Annex have embarked on a 72-hour warning strike following the alleged assault of a doctor by a patient’s relative within the hospital premises.
The industrial action was declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo, after a medical officer on duty was reportedly attacked while attending to patients on Sunday.
According to the association, the incident involved the wife of a patient, who allegedly assaulted the doctor during the course of his duties.
The situation reportedly escalated when some individuals later arrived at the hospital searching for the doctor, forcing staff members to move him to a secure location for his safety.
In a communiqué signed by the ARD President, Dr. Adeola Oluwadamilola, and Secretary-General, Dr. Dare Aderemi, the association condemned the incident, describing it as part of the growing trend of violence against healthcare workers.
The doctors alleged that the victim was physically attacked by both a patient and the patient’s daughter, noting that it was the second reported assault on a doctor at the institution this year.
As part of its demands, the association called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack.
The doctors also requested the deployment of armed security personnel to FMC Owo and its annexes, a public apology from the alleged assailant in a national newspaper, and adequate compensation for the affected doctor.
