Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ASABA, Nigeria — The Nigerian Nurses’ Forum has issued a strong condemnation of a violent incident at Asaba Specialist Hospital in Delta State, where a registered nurse was allegedly assaulted by a doctor in a hospital ward, describing the act as “brutal” and “disgraceful” and calling for urgent action to protect healthcare workers and restore professional decorum. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media show a confrontation between hospital staff and the medical officer accused of physically attacking the nurse with a chair, sparking outrage within the nursing community and broader healthcare sector.
According to multiple posts on video‑sharing platforms, the incident unfolded inside the facility when tensions reportedly escalated between the doctor and the nurse during a routine shift. While details of the altercation and its exact cause remain the subject of ongoing inquiry, visual footage appears to depict colleagues confronting the doctor over the alleged assault and attempting to restrain him following the reported attack.
In an official statement following the episode, the Nigerian Nurses’ Forum criticised the assault as an unacceptable breach of professional conduct and a threat to the safety and dignity of nurses nationwide. The group’s leadership characterised the incident as emblematic of growing workplace hostility and emphasised that violence against healthcare workers undermines patient care, morale and respect for the medical profession. The forum called for an independent investigation into the matter and appropriate disciplinary action against those found culpable.
“Nurses and midwives are at the frontline of healthcare delivery, often working under challenging conditions to safeguard patients’ well‑being,” the forum’s statement said. “We cannot tolerate actions that jeopardise their safety or erode the professional environment expected in our hospitals. Such conduct is not only brutal and disgraceful but also antithetical to the ethics of caregiving and institutional responsibility.”
Healthcare professionals and advocates have called on hospital authorities, the Delta State Ministry of Health, and relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that accountability is enforced in a transparent manner. They argue that establishing clear consequences for violent conduct within medical settings is crucial to maintaining trust between healthcare workers and the institutions that employ them.
The nurses’ forum also urged fellow practitioners to stand united against intimidation and abuse in the workplace, stressing that tolerance of such behaviour would set a dangerous precedent for the protection of frontline workers. “An assault on one nurse is an assault on the entire profession and those who depend on our care,” the statement added.
Incidents of violence against healthcare workers — whether by patients, visitors, or colleagues — have been a growing concern in Nigeria and elsewhere, with professional associations emphasising that safety in healthcare environments is integral to effective service delivery and the upholding of ethical standards. The forum’s condemnation reflects broader anxieties about workplace safety and the need for stronger institutional measures to safeguard providers who are essential to public health.
In response to the allegations, the management of Asaba Specialist Hospital has not yet issued a detailed public comment on the incident. Sources within the hospital indicate that internal inquiries are underway, and staff members have been advised to cooperate with authorities to clarify the circumstances leading up to the altercation. Local health administrators are expected to release an official statement outlining preliminary findings and any immediate actions taken.
Nurses, midwives and allied healthcare workers across Nigeria have long advocated for improved protections against assault and harassment at their places of work. These calls have intensified in recent years as reports of physical threats and verbal abuse directed at health personnel have emerged from various facilities, raising questions about safety protocols and the enforcement of professional standards.
Delta State officials have acknowledged receipt of complaints about the Asaba Specialist Hospital incident and have pledged that relevant authorities will engage with all parties involved to ensure that justice prevails and that healthcare workers are not subjected to violence or mistreatment on the job. Community stakeholders and civil society organisations have also urged swift action to prevent escalation and to reaffirm the state’s commitment to protecting frontline workers.
The episode has rekindled national discourse on the importance of workplace respect, conflict resolution and legal protections for nurses, who play a critical role in patient care and health system resilience. Professional bodies advocate for enhanced training on interpersonal communication, institutional safeguards, reporting mechanisms and legal recourse to address and deter workplace violence.
As the investigation continues, the Nigerian Nurses’ Forum has reiterated its call for justice, accountability and stronger protective frameworks for healthcare workers, emphasising that such incidents must prompt systemic improvements rather than be dismissed as isolated or tolerated occurrences.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments