The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has reportedly withdrawn its services at the Emergency Pediatric Unit of the Murtala Mohammed Hospital, Kano, over an alleged assault on its member.
According to the reports, a group allegedly orchestrated by Kano State’s Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Amina Abdullahi had assaulted a female doctor who was alone attending to pediatric units with about a hundred patients on queue.
She was said to have been harassed and physically assaulted by the group on the 1st of November 2024, leading to the NMA issuing a 48-hour ultimatum or the association would put down tools.
Following the expiration of the ultimatum without a response, the NMA spokesman in Kano, Muhammad Musa noted that the action is due to a lack of concrete action by the Kano State Government.
“Investigations were carried out by the Ministry of Health and it was confirmed that the doctor on duty had no fault in the incident,” he said.
According to the NMA spokesman, the doctor was professional in carrying out her duties.
“Despite the investigations, nothing has been done to address the misconduct of the humanitarian affairs commissioner who led the assault on a healthcare worker under extremely challenging conditions,” the NMA spokesman added.
Musa confirmed the withdrawal of all medical services at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital indefinitely effective from noon on the 6th November 2024.
He said they would not go back until the government dismisses the commissioner and ensures that there is enough staffing and resource allocation to improve security measures.
While reiterating the NMA’s commitment to the highest standards of medical care and patient safety, he made one more call.
“We call on the Kano State Government to be swift in acting on this issue to restore confidence in Kano’s healthcare system and ensure a safe working environment for all medical personnel,” he said.
