The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako Oyedele, on Friday warned that increasing violence against doctors and other healthcare workers poses a serious threat to the country’s healthcare system, calling for stronger security, improved legal protection and collective action to safeguard medical personnel.
Speaking while declaring open the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association, Ogun State branch, in Abeokuta, Salako Oyedele said governments, healthcare institutions, security agencies, professional bodies and communities must work together to address attacks on healthcare providers and build a safer healthcare system.
The conference, themed, “Protecting Healthcare Providers: Addressing Violence Against Doctors and Strengthening a Safe Healthcare System,” focused on the growing concerns over workplace violence against medical practitioners.
The deputy governor said healthcare workers remained exposed to physical and psychological attacks despite dedicating their lives to saving others under difficult conditions.
She said, “Strengthening security within healthcare facilities, stronger legal protection for healthcare workers, investing in better communication, paying greater attention to the well-being of healthcare workers themselves, strengthening public education and community engagement are possible ways to address violence against doctors and strengthen a safe healthcare system.”
Quoting data from the World Health Organisation, she added, “Worldwide data collated by the World Health Organisation showed that 38 per cent of healthcare workers experience physical violence at some point in their career.”
According to her, Nigeria is not immune to the challenge.
“Reports have shown that doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals were verbally abused, physically assaulted and threatened as a result of patients’ deaths while carrying out their duties. Nigeria is not an exception, as violence is a global challenge,” she said.
Salako Oyedele said the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun had continued to prioritise the health sector through investments in primary healthcare, improved infrastructure, recruitment of health personnel and expansion of the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.
“As Chair of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Task Force, I regularly receive reports and feedback across our health system. It is encouraging to see the progress we make in expanding access to quality healthcare. These reports underscore the pressures under which our healthcare workers operate,” she said.
She urged policymakers, hospital administrators, security agencies, professional associations, community leaders and Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting healthcare workers.
“It is not the sole responsibility of the government or the medical profession. It is the responsibility of every one of us,” she added.
Also speaking, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Saka Olanrewaju, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr Qudus Yusuf, said the state government would continue to prioritise the welfare of doctors and provide efficient and affordable healthcare services.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Tamramat Runsewe-Abiodun, described the conference theme as timely, saying it would help expose the extent of physical and psychological violence against healthcare providers.
She commended the Ogun State chapter of the NMA for maintaining zero tolerance for violence and urged stakeholders to address the increasing brain drain linked to insecurity and workplace violence.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, praised the association for maintaining professionalism and cordial relations with the state government, assuring members of continued support.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NMA in Ogun State, Dr Ogunjimi Luqman, commended the state government for the prompt payment of adjustable allowances and the release of medical residency training funds for 2025.
He said, “Our administration successfully negotiated and secured payment of medical residency training funds for the year 2025. We also hosted the National Executive Council meeting with over 300 members in attendance, among other achievements.”
