In a show of solidarity and condemnation against violence towards medical professionals, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi staged a protest following the assault of a female colleague by family members of a deceased patient.
Dr. Dabot Thomas, President of the ARD FMC Keffi branch, disclosed this during a peaceful demonstration in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on Wednesday.
The protest, which involved members carrying placards with messages advocating respect for female doctors and denouncing assaults, was prompted by an incident that occurred on Tuesday night.
According to Dr. Thomas, the female doctor was allegedly assaulted by four relatives of a deceased patient while attempting to pass through a crowded walkway in the medical center.
Despite seeking permission to proceed, she was subjected to multiple slaps. The doctor, who was not involved in the deceased patient's care, was en route to attend to other patients when the assault transpired.
Expressing concern over recurrent assaults on medical staff, Dr. Thomas emphasized that this incident underscored the urgent need to end physical attacks against doctors within the medical center.
In response to the protest, Dr. Yahaya Adamu, Chief Medical Director of FMC Keffi, assured the demonstrators of a comprehensive investigation.
Dr. Adamu pledged to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Security (DSS), to identify and prosecute the assailants.
Dr. Adamu condemned the assault as an act of criminality and emphasized that those responsible would face legal consequences.
One of the four assailants has already been apprehended, signaling the seriousness with which the medical center intends to address the matter.
The ARD FMC Keffi branch has resolved to halt operations for at least 72 hours in solidarity and to underscore the gravity of the situation, advocating for a safe environment for medical professionals to carry out their duties without fear of violence or intimidation.
