The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Niger State Branch, has withdrawn clinical services at the Jummai Babangida Aliyu Maternal and Neonatal Hospital, Minna, following the alleged assault of a doctor while on duty.
The decision was contained in a letter addressed to the Executive Medical Director of the Niger State Hospitals Management Board, Minna, and signed by the Chairman of the association, Dr. Muhammad Isah, and the Secretary, Dr. Aliyu Chapa.
The letter, issued yesterday, stated that the action followed a report of an assault on a house officer, Dr. Joanne Husseini, while she was carrying out her official duties at the hospital.
The association strongly condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and reiterating that no healthcare professional should be intimidated or assaulted while performing their duties.
“We wish to condemn in the strongest term this unfortunate incident and to reiterate the association’s strong resolve that no healthcare professional deserves to be intimidated or assaulted in the course of his/her professional duty,” the letter stated.
The NMA further noted that the incident was not isolated, suggesting a recurring pattern of attacks against healthcare workers at the facility.
Consequently, the association directed all doctors working at the hospital to withdraw their services with immediate effect until the minimum demands of the affected doctor are addressed.
The withdrawal of services is expected to disrupt healthcare delivery at the specialist maternal and neonatal facility, raising concerns among patients who depend on the hospital for medical care.
As of the time of filing this report, the Niger State Hospitals Management Board had yet to issue an official response to the development or the alleged assault.