ASSOCIATION of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi, on Wednesday staged a protest against an alleged assault on a female colleague by family members of a deceased patient.
Dr Dabot Thomas, President of ARD FMC Keffi branch, led the peaceful protest around the premises of the hospital in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, to express their grievance over the matter.
According to Thomas, the protest is as a result of an assault on a female doctor who was allegedly slapped several times by family members of a deceased patient in the medical centre on Tuesday, May 14.
“She was assaulted alongside a hospital attendant when they wanted to pass through a walkway crowded by family members of a deceased patient.
“She was attacked by four of the deceased patient’s relatives and slapped severally on her face.
“From the information we gathered, the attackers just lost their father and the doctor who was not part of those managing the deceased was on her way to attend to other patients when the incident happened,” he said.
ALSO READ:
NLC, LP Should Unite To Serve Workers Interest – Says Abure
FG Reconstituting Varsities Governing Councils – NUC Appeals To ASUU
ASUU Asks FG To Reconstitute Universities’ Governing Councils In 2 Weeks
Nigeria Ranks Lowest In Education Budget In West Africa – ASUU
Thomas said that the incident occurred at about 11p.m. on Tuesday and bemoaned that it was not the first time doctors have been assaulted in the medical centre, hence the decision to protest so as to put an end to the physical attacks on medical doctors.
“The congress has taken a decision to down tools for at least 72 hours and we are going to stand by the decision,” he said.
Responding, Dr Yahaya Adamu, Chief Medical Director of FMC Keffi assured the protesting doctors that the matter would be thoroughly investigated with the involvement Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Security (DSS) to unravel those behind the alleged assault.
“It is quite unfortunate and nobody will support criminality. I can assure you they will not go free. We would go after them and ensure that they face the wrath of the law for their actions. If it means going to court, we will do so.
“This is pure criminality. So, let’s not take it as a union thing. Somebody commits a crime and he should be treated as a criminal.
“I can tell you that out of the four that allegedly slapped the doctor, one has already been arrested, which suggests that we are serious about the issue,” he said. (NAN)
