30 doctors assaulted in 11 months, NARD says, as August 10 strike looms

Doctors in Nigeria are facing a growing wave of assaults, with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) reporting at least 30 such incidents in the last 11 months. These attacks, allegedly carried out by patients' relatives and security personnel, highlight a dangerous environment for medical professionals.

NARD's Second Vice-President, Dr. Kwarshak Kevin, stated that these assaults average about three per month. He described the situation as "unacceptable," especially given the difficult working conditions doctors already endure and the ongoing "brain drain" of medical professionals leaving the country. Kevin urged the Federal Government to enact laws with penalties for assaulting healthcare workers and to establish a rapid-response protocol for their protection.

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About 30 doctors have been assaulted in Nigeria. That gives you an average of about three doctors every month.

The safety of doctors is a primary unresolved issue fueling NARD's planned indefinite nationwide strike, set to begin on August 10. The association emphasized it is not eager for industrial action but felt compelled to issue the strike notice after its National Executive Council meeting on July 19. Other critical issues include significant delays in salary payments for house officers, some waiting seven to eight months for their wages, and 18 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears for health workers. Kevin questioned how the government could owe health workers 18 months of earned allowances and leave the matter unresolved.

Further allegations include the intimidation of doctors at a Lagos teaching hospital who protested the withdrawal of meals for those on call. Doctors on call are required to stay on-site for emergencies, and sourcing food externally could compromise patient care. Some doctors involved in the protest were reportedly denied the opportunity to sit for professional exams.

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How can you owe a health worker 18 months of earned allowances and still leave the matter unresolved?