Policeman attacks doctor for inspecting wife without permission in Kwara.

In the General Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State, members of the Nigeria Association of Government Medical and Dental Practitioners have started a two-day strike over an alleged assault on a colleague.

According to Dr. Ola Ahmed, the state chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, the doctors were obliged to put down their instruments because they were frequently in danger of losing their lives, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

“After an emergency congress, the doctors have unanimously agreed that no doctor will work in the hospital for 48 hours. We are tired of being a punching bag by the public,” he said.

According to Ahmed, a sergeant with the Police Mobile Force physically attacked and assaulted a doctor at the general hospital.

He explained that around 5 p.m. on Sunday, a police sergeant who had brought his sick wife for treatment attacked the doctor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology unit.

According to him, “The doctor conducted the necessary test and she was later discharged. The sergeant, however,  returned to the hospital and attacked the doctor who examined his wife.

“The sergeant alleged that the doctor did not seek his consent before examining his wife and that in his culture, it is a taboo,” he said.

Ahmed emphasized that the woman was an adult, not a minor, and added that a colleague was there before the test was carried out.

Before the doctor was rescued from the policeman, he noticed that the doctor had been hurt.

However he added that the accused had been detained by the police after being taken into custody.

He further stated, “It is terrible that this is happening to us. Our workload is much, coupled with all the social issues, including naira and fuel scarcity.

“We come to work as early as 7am and go home late, and people we are trying to save are abusing and attacking doctors.

“We have used all necessary means to enlighten the public through jingles, banners and talk shows on warning the public to desist from assaulting doctors.

“Similar incident happened at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. If people are ready to take the law into their hands, we will not allow our doctors to die.”

Ahmed clarified that they were only protecting the lives of their members and were in no way blaming the state administration.

Dr. Bola Abdulkadir, the Chief Medical Director of General Hospital, Ilorin, responded to the event by saying that management was aware of the incident and was making every effort to defuse it.

Abdulkadir added that the state government was aware of the incident and has been making every effort to protect medical professionals.

“We appeal to them that the management and the state government are doing everything possible to prevent a recurrence.

“The consultants will continue to care for patients, so there will be skeletal services that will be rendered,” he assured.

Dr. Bola Abdulkadir, the Chief Medical Director of General Hospital, Ilorin, responded to the event by saying that management was aware of the incident and was making every effort to defuse it.

Abdulkadir added that the state government was aware of the incident and has been making every effort to protect medical professionals.

The CMD applauded the sacrifices made by the medical personnel in order to preserve patients’ lives in the hospital.