- Seek protection, compensation for victims
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned of possible industrial disharmony if urgent steps are not taken to address the rising cases of assaults on healthcare workers across the country.
The association said the warning follows what it described as a growing pattern of violence, intimidation and harassment targeting doctors, nurses and other health personnel in public health facilities nationwide.
NARD is demanding the enforcement of strict hospital protection policies across all health institutions, compensation for victims of assaults and destruction of personal property, and the deployment of adequate security architecture in hospitals nationwide.
It also called on the Federal government to issue an immediate presidential executive order mandating the strict prosecution of anyone who assaults healthcare workers or invades medical facilities.
The association warned that failure to meet these demands by the end of its May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) would have consequences for industrial relations in the health sector.