The Federal Government has directed health institutions and security agencies to implement measures protecting healthcare workers from assault, intimidation and harassment.
The directive followed the submission of a ministerial committee report on the harassment of health workers by security personnel.
The committee was established after an incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and hospital staff.
The confrontation disrupted clinical services and led to industrial action.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the committee found that the Uyo incident was not isolated.
Eighteen cases of assault, intimidation or harassment were reported across federal tertiary health institutions during the previous 12 months.
The incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel and resulted in injuries, psychological harm, property damage, service disruption and strikes.
The committee identified poor communication, long waiting periods, inadequate staffing, weak infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and the absence of clear security procedures as contributing factors.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate accepted the recommendations and ordered immediate implementation.
Any person accused of assaulting, threatening or harassing a health worker will be investigated and prosecuted where evidence supports criminal action.
The absence of a law dealing solely with violence against health workers will not prevent enforcement under existing criminal, civil or administrative laws.
Federal tertiary hospitals are required to establish violence-prevention teams, improve access control and surveillance and strengthen security in emergency departments and other sensitive areas.
Institutions must also appoint liaison officers for engagement with law enforcement agencies.
Security operations inside hospitals must not endanger patients, interrupt treatment, breach confidentiality or obstruct essential services.
The ministry said broader recommendations would be presented to the National Council on Health for possible adoption by federal, state and private health facilities.
