Nigerian Doctors Withdraw Services from Specialist Hospital Over Commissioner’s Alleged Assault On Colleague
NMA said it has resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from noon Wednesday, November 6, 2024 until its demands are fully met.
The Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it has indefinitely withdrawn all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, effective from noon on Wednesday, until their demands are fully met.
The association had demanded the removal of the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Amina Abdullahi, following allegations of assault on a doctor at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
In a statement issued on Monday by NMA Chairman Dr. Abdurrahman Ali and Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the association asserted that the commissioner’s actions “constitute misconduct, punishable by dismissal as enshrined in Section 3(a)(0), (ii), (iv), and (v) of the Public Service Rules.”
The NMA stated that the assault, which allegedly took place on November 1 at the hospital’s Emergency Paediatric Unit, represented an abuse of power from an official expected to uphold humanitarian values.
The NMA accused the commissioner and her entourage, including security personnel, of harassing and assaulting the doctor.
The altercation reportedly arose from the unavailability of prescribed medication, a situation beyond the doctor’s control, who was singlehandedly managing over 100 patients.
The association highlighted that incidents of this nature are becoming increasingly common, placing medical professionals in unacceptable personal risk as they strive to fulfil their duties under challenging conditions.
The NMA threatened to suspend medical services at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital within 48 hours if their demands are not met.
However, Dr. Muhammad Aminu Musa, the group public relation officer in a statement on Wednesday stated that despite an investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health which confirmed that the doctor was not at fault, no action has been taken to address the alleged misconduct of the commissioner.
NMA said it has resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from noon Wednesday, November 6, 2024 until its demands are fully met.
The statement reads in part, “Following a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State Branch in response to the assault on a female doctor at the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, we regret to inform the public and all relevant stakeholders that no concrete action has been taken by the Kano State Government.
“An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the doctor was not at fault in the incident, verifying that she acted with full professionalism in her duties.
“Despite this, no action has been taken to address the misconduct of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, who led this assault and harassed a healthcare worker performing her duties under extremely challenging conditions.
“The NMA Kano has therefore resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from 12 noon today, 6th November 2024 until the following demands are fully met:
“Immediate dismissal of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs.
“Adequate staffing & resource allocation; Immediate steps must be taken to meet the minimum benchmark requirement for healthcare personnel in the facility, ensuring that doctors are not forced to work under conditions that put their safety and patients’ health at risk.
“Enhanced security measures; provision and maintenance of adequate security for all units within the hospital to protect healthcare workers and patients.”
