Mirian Gom 
OWO, Nigeria – Resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, withdraw services for 48 hours after a violent attack on a colleague sparks outrage across Nigeria’s health sector.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday condemns the assault on Dr Adeniyi A, a registrar in Internal Medicine, describing it as a direct attack on the medical profession.
“Hospitals must not become killing fields,” NARD says. “This is barbaric and unacceptable.”
Doctors allege relatives of a surgical patient attacked Dr Adeniyi inside the Accident and Emergency unit following delays in surgery. Witnesses say the doctor, recently discharged after collapsing on duty, was unaware of the brewing tension.
“He was slapped, punched, dragged on the floor and his spectacles were broken,” the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) says.
The ARD accuses hospital security of failing to intervene, calling the facility’s safety architecture “grossly inadequate.”
Following an Emergency General Meeting attended by over 90 per cent of members, resident doctors commence a total withdrawal of services.
NARD issues non-negotiable demands, including full compensation, immediate security upgrades, and arrest and prosecution of the attackers.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” the association warns.
The group acknowledges the intervention of FMC Owo’s management but insists that violence against healthcare workers must end.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius