Medical services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, and its Akure Annex in Ondo State have been severely disrupted following a three-day warning strike embarked upon by resident doctors over the alleged assault of a colleague by a patient’s relative.
The industrial action, which began on Sunday, has left many patients stranded and raised fresh concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in public hospitals across the country.
The strike was declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo, after an emergency meeting held to discuss the incident, which reportedly occurred at the Akure Annex of the hospital during the weekend.
According to sources within the hospital, the crisis started when the wife of a patient allegedly attacked a doctor who was on duty. The situation reportedly escalated when some suspected thugs later stormed the hospital premises in search of the same doctor.
The development triggered outrage among medical personnel, who accused hospital authorities and security agencies of failing to provide adequate protection for healthcare workers.
The resident doctors insisted that the individuals responsible for the attack must be arrested and prosecuted. They also demanded improved security measures at the hospital and its annexes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Owo, Dr. Adeola Oluwadamilola, and the General Secretary, Dr. Dare Aderemi, the doctors expressed concern over what they described as a growing pattern of attacks on medical personnel.
According to the statement, the association convened an Emergency General Meeting on May 30, 2026, to discuss the assault and determine an appropriate response.
“The Association of Resident Doctors Federal Medical Centre Owo convened an Emergency General Meeting on the 30th of May 2026 on account of assault on a doctor on call at the Akure Annex of the hospital,” the statement read.
The doctors alleged that the physician was physically attacked while carrying out his professional duties.
“The doctor was assaulted by the wife of a male patient. He was slapped several times and manhandled by her and the patient,” the statement added.
The association noted that the latest incident was not an isolated case, describing assaults on doctors within the hospital as a recurring problem.
According to the doctors, this is the second reported attack on a medical officer in the facility this year, a situation they say has created fear and anxiety among healthcare workers.
The association therefore resolved to activate the industrial action in line with the protocol of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
“The congress, according to the NARD protocol, declares a 72-hour total strike which begins 8 a.m. on 31/05/2026. The strike will be reviewed only when adequate armed security is provided in the hospital and its annexes,” the statement said.
As a result of the strike, several hospital services have been affected, with patients and their relatives facing difficulties accessing medical care.
Some patients who visited the hospital on Monday reportedly met empty consulting rooms and limited services, forcing many to seek treatment elsewhere.
The disruption is expected to place additional pressure on other healthcare facilities within Ondo State, especially those already struggling with high patient numbers and limited manpower.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over violence against healthcare workers in Nigeria.
Over the years, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel have repeatedly complained about attacks, threats and intimidation by patients and their relatives, particularly during emergencies and periods of high patient traffic.
Medical associations have consistently argued that poor security in hospitals exposes healthcare workers to danger and affects their ability to perform their duties effectively.
Healthcare professionals have also warned that attacks on medical workers could worsen the already challenging situation in Nigeria’s health sector, which continues to grapple with manpower shortages, inadequate infrastructure and the migration of trained professionals to other countries.
Stakeholders in the health sector have often called on hospital managements and government authorities to strengthen security measures, including the deployment of trained security personnel, installation of surveillance systems and stricter enforcement of laws against violence in healthcare facilities.
The latest strike at FMC Owo comes at a time when public hospitals across the country are under pressure to improve healthcare delivery and restore public confidence in the health system.
While the resident doctors have described the strike as a necessary step to protect their members, patients and their families have expressed concern over the suspension of services and the impact on those requiring urgent medical attention.
As of the time of filing this report, management of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, had not issued an official statement on the incident or the demands made by the doctors.
However, hospital workers and patients are hoping that discussions between the doctors, hospital authorities and security agencies will lead to a quick resolution of the crisis.
For now, medical services at FMC Owo and its Akure Annex remain disrupted as the resident doctors insist that the strike will continue until concrete steps are taken to improve security and ensure that those responsible for the alleged assault are brought to justice.