NMA directs doctors at paediatric hospital in Kano to withdraw services over insecurity

By Aminu Abuabakar

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has directed medical doctors at Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital in Kano metropolis to stay off duty over their safety and insecurity that has pervaded the health sector recently.

This was contained in a statement issued by NMA Kano branch Secretary, Dr. Abdulrahman Aliyu, on Tuesday.

The statement read,’’ On the 27th of May 2024, at approximately 2:43 am, two female doctors on duty were subjected to a terrifying ordeal of assault and gun threat by unidentified individuals, including some accompanied by hospital security guards.

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According to the statement, ‘’The doctors, who were attending to their duties diligently, were abruptly confronted by armed men who forcibly entered their call room. Despite their efforts to explain the situation, the doctors were verbally abused, threatened, and even had a gun pointed at them.

The statement said the harrowing experience lasted for nearly an hour, with no assistance forthcoming from hospital management or external authorities.

‘’This incident is not isolated; it reflects a distressing pattern of violence and harassment against healthcare professionals within the facilities in the state. Despite previous complaints and pleas for enhanced security measures, our concerns have been largely ignored. It is evident that the safety and well-being of medical personnel at Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital (HBPH) are not adequately prioritized.’’

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‘’In light of these grave circumstances, we deemed it necessary to withdraw our members from HBPH effective immediately until their safety and security is guaranteed. We cannot continue to risk the lives of our members while enduring such hostile working conditions without assurance of protection.

‘’We implore the Hospital Management Board and relevant authorities to take swift action to address this urgent matter and provide assurances of safety for healthcare workers at HBPH. We remain committed to providing quality care to our patients, but we cannot do so at the expense of our own safety.’’

‘’We urge solidarity and support from all members of the medical community during this challenging time. We shall stand together in demanding accountability and the implementation of necessary reforms to safeguard the lives of healthcare professionals in Kano State.’’

SolaceBase recently reported a statement jointly signed by Kano NMA Chairman and Secretary where they said, ‘’Earlier this year, a large group of hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons assaulted a medical officer who was on duty in the maternity unit of MMSH.’’

According to them, ‘’These incidents, among others, have significantly impacted the morale and sense of security of our members, particularly in the state. This underscores the urgent need for tangible measures to ensure the safety and security of healthcare workers while on duty. The NMA  Kano calls on the HMB to prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers and take immediate action to address these pressing concerns.’’

When SolaceBase contacted the Director General, Kano State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Mansur Nagoda on phone, the call was rejected with a follow-up message that he couldn’t speak where he was.

The reporter subsequently sent a message on the NMA directive to him, which he replied to saying that he would be at the hospital shortly.