Uyo hospital in Nigeria declares indefinite strike after alleged attack on intern
The Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State has declared an indefinite strike over the alleged assault of an intern by an elderly woman. The strike began at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday and marked another disruption to medical services at the facility amid healthcare workers’ concerns over staff safety.
As Premium Times Nigeria reports, the Nigerian Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable. It demanded that the hospital administration and relevant law enforcement agencies identify, arrest and prosecute those involved in the attack within 48 hours. The association also called for immediate strengthening of security at healthcare facilities in the state.
Hospital administration’s position
UUTH Chief Medical Director Emem Bassey confirmed the start of the strike and said the administration was holding talks with resident doctors. He called the situation regrettable and stressed that patients and their relatives have no right to use physical force against medical workers.
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According to Bassey, he was informed that the patient and the elderly woman who allegedly attacked the intern later returned to the hospital and offered an unconditional apology. The head of the facility expressed hope that the doctors would accept the apology and resume work. He added that the hospital has security measures in place, but it is impossible to ensure the round-the-clock presence of guards in every department.
Previous strike
In May, doctors in Akwa Ibom had already declared an indefinite strike following an operation by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the same hospital. Witnesses then stated that commission officers used tear gas, causing staff and patients to leave the premises and disrupting medical services.
The operation was linked to the detention of Professor Eyo Ekpe, deputy chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee. The UUTH administration said staff had been mistreated during the operation and that five employees, including Ekpe, were detained and later released. The EFCC initially denied allegations of assaulting staff and detaining employees, but launched an internal investigation. Later, commission chairman Ola Olukoyede apologized to Ekpe and representatives of the medical association, after which the Nigerian Medical Association suspended the strike.
