By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has condemned the incident of stabbing of Mr. Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and demanded an immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged assailant.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the attack as barbaric and unacceptable. He stressed that no grief, frustration or dissatisfaction with care can justify violence against a health worker performing his lawful duties.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the swift arrest of the suspect while the Ministry would follow the case to ensure that the alleged assailant is brought to justice.
Dr. Salako said the incident underscores the urgent need to implement the measures issued by the Ministry on August 5, 2026, to enhance the safety and protection of health workers in federal tertiary health institutions.
The measures include enhanced security arrangements, the establishment of violence-prevention teams, improved incident-reporting mechanisms, closer collaboration with law-enforcement agencies and more effective complaint-handling procedures.
Dr. Salako emphasised that these measures must be effectively implemented to ensure the safety and protection of health workers across health facilities.
The Minister also appealed to health workers who have embarked on industrial action at FMC Abeokuta to return to work immediately in the interest of patients and the wider public, urging them to allow the security authorities to carry out their duties and pursue the investigation.
He further urged the hospital's management to ensure that the injured staff member receives appropriate medical care and support, and to strengthen security arrangements in line with the Federal Government's directives.
The Minister extended the Federal Government's condolences to the family of the deceased patient, stressing that the loss of a loved one deserves compassion and appropriate attention.
He urged individuals with complaints about the quality of care received to utilise the hospital’s formal complaints channels, stressing that all concerns should be fairly reviewed and addressed on their merits rather than resorting to violence.
The Ministry reaffirmed that the safety of health workers is fundamental to ensuring safe and uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
It emphasised that health facilities must provide a secure environment where medical personnel can perform their duties without fear of violence, while patients and their families can access healthcare services with confidence.
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