Stronger security, legal protection needed to stop attacks on doctors – Ogun deputy gov

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has said that strengthening security within healthcare facilities and providing stronger legal protection for doctors are possible ways to address violence against them in the country.

The deputy governor made this known while declaring open the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State branch, with the theme, “Protecting Healthcare Providers: Addressing Violence Against Doctors and Strengthening a Safe Healthcare System,” in Abeokuta.

Salako-Oyedele said governments, healthcare institutions, professional associations, security agencies, and the community must continue to work together to curb the menace, noting that such collaboration would ensure the safety of healthcare practitioners.

She asserted that, by the nature of their profession, healthcare workers dedicate their lives to preserving life, restoring health under immense pressure, and protecting others, while remaining susceptible to various forms of harm and occupational hazards.

The deputy governor revealed that data collated worldwide by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that 38 per cent of healthcare workers experience physical violence at some point in their careers.

“Nigeria is not an exception, as violence is a global challenge. Reports have shown that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are verbally abused, physically assaulted, and threatened, especially following patients’ deaths, while carrying out their duties,” she said.

She added that the healthcare sector in Ogun remained one of the priority areas under the Abiodun-led administration, saying the government had continued to invest in strengthening primary healthcare, expanding access to quality health services, improving health infrastructure, recruiting healthcare personnel, and increasing access to affordable healthcare through the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.

She appealed to policymakers, hospital administrators, security agencies, professional associations, community leaders, and every citizen to rise to the challenge of protecting healthcare providers, noting that it was not the sole responsibility of the government or the medical profession but of everyone in the country.

Also speaking, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Saka Olanrewaju, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Qudus Yusuf, said the government would prioritise the welfare of doctors in the state and would not relent in its efforts to provide efficient and affordable healthcare to its citizens.

In her contribution, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, appreciated the NMA Ogun State branch for ensuring professional discipline and peaceful collaboration with the state government, assuring the association of the government’s continued support.

The Chairperson of the occasion, Tamramat Runsewe-Abiodun, in her remarks, said the theme was apt as it highlighted the percentage of healthcare providers who had experienced physical and psychological violence. She commended the Ogun NMA for its zero-tolerance stance on violence and appealed to relevant stakeholders to address the issue of brain drain resulting from violence experienced on the job.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the NMA Ogun State branch, Dr Ogunjimi Luqman, commended the state government for the prompt payment of adjustment allowances. He said his administration had successfully negotiated and secured the payment of medical residency training funds for 2025 and hosted the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which attracted over 300 participants, among other achievements.