Trending 
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned of possible industrial action over increasing cases of assault on healthcare workers across the country, describing the trend as unacceptable and dangerous to the health system.
In a letter signed in May but dispatched to journalists on Saturday, NARD said that at least 17 major tertiary health institutions recorded attacks on doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in a year.
The warning followed a series of reported attacks on medical personnel in several tertiary health institutions, including the University College Hospital, Ibadan; Federal Medical Centre, Owo; Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara; General Hospital, Warri; Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki; and Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, among others.
The association said incidents of assault have become widespread, affecting doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, with many victims suffering physical injuries, emotional trauma, and loss of personal property.
NARD warned that it would not guarantee industrial peace if the Nigerian Government does not take urgent, concrete measures to address the issue before its Ordinary General Meeting in May 2026.
According to the association, if decisive steps are not taken to curb the attacks and ensure prosecution of offenders, its national leadership and other organs may be forced to take action.
The doctors said they were putting the government and relevant authorities on notice, stressing that the safety of healthcare workers must be treated as a priority.
“If by the end of May 2026 OGM, concrete, visible, and decisive steps are not taken to curb this menace and bring all assailants to justice, the NARD national officers’ committee (NOC) and other constitutional organs of the association will not guarantee industrial peace after the OGM,” the statement reads.
They added that repeated attacks have created a culture of impunity, where perpetrators often escape with little or no meaningful punishment.
The association further noted that in most cases, victims only receive apology letters despite the severity of the incidents and their psychological impact.
NARD said more than 90 per cent of those affected are its members, adding that hospitals, which should serve as places of healing, are increasingly becoming unsafe for both patients and staff.
It warned that what began as verbal abuse has escalated into physical attacks, intimidation, and violent invasions of hospital facilities.
