The Federal Government has directed the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of health workers across the country following the incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State.
The directive was issued after the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, which was established in the wake of the UUTH incident that sparked nationwide condemnation and industrial action by healthcare workers.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, approved the committee’s recommendations and ordered their immediate implementation, stressing that healthcare professionals must be able to carry out their duties in a safe and secure environment.
“The Federal Government will continue to work with all relevant institutions to protect our health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure that healthcare delivery is never compromised,” the minister said.
As part of the new measures, the government directed that anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker should be investigated and prosecuted under existing criminal, civil or administrative laws where sufficient evidence exists.
The ministry also instructed all federal tertiary health institutions to strengthen internal security by establishing Violence Prevention Teams, improving access control systems, enhancing surveillance, tightening visitor identification procedures and reinforcing security around emergency units and other sensitive areas. Hospitals are further required to appoint liaison officers to coordinate with law enforcement agencies while ensuring that security operations do not disrupt patient care or compromise confidentiality.
In addition, health institutions have been directed to promptly report, investigate and document cases of assault or harassment, provide support for affected workers and strengthen complaint-handling mechanisms and staff training on conflict prevention and de-escalation. The broader policy recommendations will be presented to the National Council on Health for possible adoption across federal, state and private health facilities.
The committee’s report found that the UUTH incident was not isolated, revealing that at least 18 cases of assault, intimidation or harassment were recorded across federal tertiary health institutions within the past year. The report attributed the incidents to factors including poor communication, inadequate staffing, emotional distress, abuse of authority and weak security protocols.
The latest directive follows the controversy surrounding the EFCC’s operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in May, during which health workers alleged that operatives assaulted medical personnel and disrupted hospital activities. The incident triggered strikes by doctors and other health workers before the dispute was resolved following an apology by the EFCC leadership and government intervention.
