NARD Orders Strike at Olabisi Onabanjo Varsity Teaching Hospital Over Assault of Female Member

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja 

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has condemned what it described as shocking and barbaric physical assault on a female House Officer at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu. 

Following the incident, NARD directed its members at OOUTH Sagamu, including House Officers, to embark on an immediate withdrawal of services until safety assurances are guaranteed. 

According NARD, the horrifying incident, reportedly carried out by a group of about seven men alleged to be students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, represents a gross violation of human dignity, professional sanctity, and the safety of healthcare workers. 

“The victim, an innocent, dedicated young doctor, was singled out and brutally attacked following the unfortunate loss of a patient at the Accident & Emergency unit, after being identified as one of the team members who attended to the lost patient.  

“This is not only unacceptable —it is intolerable. Hospitals are sanctuaries of healing, not battlegrounds of violence. It is deeply disturbing that doctors, who continue to render selfless service under extremely challenging conditions—including delayed remuneration and overwhelming workloads- are now subjected to physical harm while discharging their duties. 

“Such acts strike at the very heart of our healthcare system and must be met with firm and decisive action. 

A statement signed by the NARD president Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman and Secretary General, Dr. Abdulmajeed Yahya Ibrahimsaid, said: “In light of this grievous incident, the Leadership of NARD hereby declares as follows: “Immediate downtool: In line with our zero-tolerance stance on assaults against our members, all NARD members at OOUTH Sagamu, including House Officers, are hereby directed to embark on an immediate withdrawal of services until safety assurances are guaranteed. 

“Demand for Justice: We call for the urgent identification, arrest, and prosecution of all individuals involved in this heinous act. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done”. 

NARD also said there must be institutional accountability, adding the Management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, must take immediate steps to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and appropriately sanctioned.

Furthermore, NARD demanded the school take responsibility for the actions of their students, including covering the full cost of medical care and providing adequate compensation to the assaulted doctor. 

It also made a case for strengthening of hospital security, urging the management of OOUTH Sagamu to urgently overhaul and reinforce the security architecture within the hospital premises. 

“Proactive measures must be instituted to prevent a recurrence, alongside addressing all welfare concerns affecting our members to promote a safe and conducive working environment,” it said 

NARD warned that failure to meet their demands promptly will compel escalation to a regional and national industrial dispute. 

“Finally, we call on government at all levels to urgently prioritize the protection of healthcare workers and enforce strict penalties against acts of violence in healthcare settings.

“The safety of doctors is non-negotiable. An injury to one is an injury to all, ” it said.