The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, has condemned the recent assault and intimidation of healthcare workers by some patients’ relatives, assuring staff that measures have been put in place to strengthen security and prevent further incidents.
The hospital management also expressed solidarity with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), OOUTH Chapter, and other members of staff following the incident, stressing that grief over the loss of a loved one should not be used to justify violence against healthcare professionals.
Nurses at the hospital protested and began a short strike after a colleague, identified as Nurse Adeeko, was allegedly slapped repeatedly, beaten, and strangled by a relative of a deceased child in the Children’s Ward during a night shift.
The child had end-stage neuroblastoma and had been deteriorating; the nursing team reportedly informed the medical team and requested a referral to another facility for further management, but it was not carried out. Relatives had earlier threatened chaos if anything happened to the patient.
Around the same time, two patients suffered cardiac arrest. Only two nurses were on duty and were handling the separate emergencies when another attack occurred.
The assaulted nurse sustained injuries (including a bleeding nose), briefly lost consciousness (syncope), and was taken to the Accident and Emergency department.
A colleague sought help from hospital security but reported no prompt response; the supervisor was contacted and police were called. Relatives allegedly returned later (around 1:25 a.m.) and continued issuing threats.
In a statement signed by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwabunmi M. Fatungase, the management said the safety, dignity and welfare of healthcare workers remained a priority.
Although the management expressed sympathy for families experiencing the pain of losing loved ones, it maintained that aggression, harassment and intimidation of medical personnel were unacceptable, particularly when they were carrying out their professional duties.
The statement said proactive measures had been in place to address the situation, protect personnel, restore order and prevent further escalation.
It added that appropriate steps were being taken to strengthen security and ensure a safe working environment for healthcare workers, patients and visitors within the hospital premises.
The management emphasised that effective healthcare delivery depended on mutual respect, trust and cooperation among medical professionals, patients and their relatives.
It noted that while the hospital remained committed to providing quality and compassionate healthcare services, protecting the workforce from violence and intimidation was equally essential to ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
The hospital consequently appealed to members of the public to remain calm and exercise restraint, particularly during moments of grief and emotional distress.
It urged patients’ relatives to channel complaints and concerns through the appropriate hospital authorities rather than resorting to confrontation, threats or violence.
The management further assured staff that their concerns were receiving attention and that necessary measures were ongoing to safeguard their welfare and professional dignity.
Reaffirming its support for NANNM, OOUTH Chapter, and the entire workforce, the management declared that violence against healthcare workers would not be tolerated.
“Grief deserves compassion, but violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable,” the statement stressed, adding that the dignity and safety of hospital staff would remain a priority.