Tension erupted at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State, over the weekend after a medical doctor was reportedly attacked by relatives of a patient, raising fresh concerns about the safety of health workers in public hospitals.

The victim, Dr. Adeniyi A, a registrar in the Department of Internal Medicine, was allegedly assaulted while attending to patients at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit.

Hospital sources told reporters that the attackers, believed to be family members of a surgical patient, confronted Dr. Adeniyi during treatment and physically manhandled him.

An anonymous staff member said the incident caused panic within the unit before hospital management intervened.

The assault has drawn widespread condemnation from medical professionals. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) described the attack as “barbaric, unlawful, and a direct threat to the Nigerian healthcare system.”

The association, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, highlighted a growing pattern of violence against healthcare workers nationwide.

NARD noted that the attack occurred inside a hospital—a facility intended to guarantee safety and preserve life—and blamed inadequate security measures for exposing doctors and staff to danger. The association warned that public aggression toward medical personnel is unlawful and must be addressed decisively.

The group demanded compensation for Dr. Adeniyi to cover both physical and psychological trauma, full payment of medical bills resulting from the incident, and an immediate review and strengthening of security arrangements at FMC Owo to protect staff and patients.

“We can no longer tolerate a situation where resident doctors are exposed to harm while rendering essential services to Nigerians. We vow that assaults on resident doctors will no longer be treated with silence or indifference.

“We demand full compensation for the pain, trauma, and suffering endured by our colleague as a result of this assault. Complete coverage of all medical expenses arising from the incident without delay.

“Immediate and comprehensive upscaling of security architecture around all entry points, clinical areas, and strategic posts within FMC Owo to prevent a recurrence,” the group said.

The association, however, called for the prompt arrest and prosecution of those responsible, warning that impunity would only embolden further attacks on health workers.

It added, “Prompt apprehension and diligent prosecution of all perpetrators involved in this criminal act, to serve as a deterrent to others.

“We can no longer tolerate a situation where resident doctors are exposed to harm while rendering essential services to Nigerians.” (The Nation)