FG Orders Stronger Security Measures to Protect Health Workers in Hospitals
Korede Abdullah 
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has directed all federal tertiary health institutions to immediately strengthen security measures and protect healthcare workers following reports of increasing cases of assault, intimidation and harassment in public hospitals.
The directive followed the submission of a ministerial committee’s report, which identified at least 18 incidents involving attacks on health workers in federal tertiary hospitals within the past year.
The committee was constituted after a confrontation between operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and health workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in May 2026.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom.
According to the statement, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has approved the committee’s recommendations, including the investigation and prosecution of individuals found to have assaulted, intimidated or harassed health workers in line with existing laws.
The ministry also directed federal tertiary hospitals to establish Violence Prevention Teams, strengthen internal security systems, improve surveillance and access control, appoint security liaison officers and ensure all incidents are promptly documented, investigated and reported.
Prof. Pate stressed that safeguarding healthcare workers remains a top priority of the Federal Government.
> “Health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to carry out their duties in an environment that is safe, secure and free from violence, intimidation or harassment,” he said.
He added that the government would continue working with security agencies and relevant institutions to protect healthcare personnel and preserve uninterrupted healthcare delivery across the country.
“The Federal Government will continue to work with all relevant institutions to protect our health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure that healthcare delivery is never compromised.”
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Mirian Gom 
