FG Cracks Down on Attacks on Health Workers, Orders Immediate Prosecution of Offenders

"Health workers deserved to operate in a safe and secure environment free from violence and intimidation." Says Prof Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

.... "The directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, which was set up after the May 2026 incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), where an operation involving operatives of the EFCC disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action."

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of sweeping measures to protect health workers across the country, warning that anyone who assaults, threatens or intimidates medical personnel will be investigated and prosecuted under existing Nigerian laws.

The directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, which was set up after the May 2026 incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), where an operation involving operatives of the EFCC disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action.

The committee found that the Uyo incident was not an isolated case, revealing that 18 incidents of assault, intimidation and harassment were recorded across federal tertiary health institutions within the last 12 months. The attacks involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel.

According to the report, the incidents resulted in physical injuries, psychological trauma, destruction of hospital property, disruption of healthcare services and industrial actions. Factors identified as fuelling the attacks include poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, poor infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and the absence of clear security protocols.

Accepting the committee's recommendations, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, directed their immediate implementation nationwide.

He said health workers deserved to operate in a safe and secure environment free from violence and intimidation, stressing that the government would continue to uphold the rule of law while ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery.

As part of the new directives, federal tertiary health institutions have been ordered to strengthen internal security, establish Violence Prevention Teams and improve access control, surveillance systems, visitor identification procedures and security around emergency units and other sensitive areas.

Hospitals are also required to appoint liaison officers to work with law enforcement agencies, while security operations within health facilities must not obstruct patient care, compromise confidentiality or disrupt essential medical services.

The government further directed that all cases of assault, threats or harassment against health workers be promptly reported, investigated and documented, with affected staff receiving institutional support and serious cases referred to law enforcement, regulatory or human rights authorities.

Hospital managements were equally instructed to improve complaint-handling mechanisms, enhance patient communication and provide staff training in conflict prevention and de-escalation as part of broader efforts to improve workplace safety and restore public confidence in the health sector.

In addition, the broader policy recommendations of the committee will be presented at the next National Council on Health for consideration as a national framework to be adopted across federal, state and private health institutions.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said it would closely monitor compliance with the directives and submit periodic implementation reports.

The government reaffirmed that no grievance or official assignment justifies violence against health workers or interference with healthcare delivery, vowing to enforce existing laws against offenders while taking all necessary steps to safeguard health facilities and protect frontline medical personnel.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja