FG Orders Protection of Health Workers Nationwide, Warns of Prosecution

The Federal Government has directed the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of health workers across Nigeria, warning that anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses them will be investigated and prosecuted under applicable laws.

The directive follows a surge in attacks on health workers in federal tertiary health institutions, with at least 18 cases of assault, intimidation and harassment recorded in the past year. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, approved the recommendations of a special committee and ordered their immediate implementation.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, the government stressed that the absence of a specific law criminalising violence against health workers would not prevent authorities from applying existing criminal, civil or administrative laws to punish offenders. Sanctions, compensation and other remedies available under the law will be pursued in appropriate cases.

The government has directed federal tertiary health institutions to strengthen internal security arrangements by establishing Violence Prevention Teams and improving access control, surveillance systems, visitor identification procedures and security around emergency units and other sensitive service areas. Each institution is also required to designate liaison officers to coordinate with law enforcement agencies.

Security operations within hospital premises must be conducted in a manner that does not endanger patients, obstruct treatment, breach confidentiality or interrupt essential health services. Such operations will be governed by agreed rules of engagement and, where necessary, formal memoranda of understanding with security agencies.

Hospital managements have been instructed to ensure that every incident of assault, threat or harassment is promptly reported, investigated and documented. Affected health workers must receive institutional support, and serious cases should be referred to relevant law enforcement, regulatory or human rights agencies.

The ministry also directed hospitals to strengthen patient complaint-handling mechanisms, improve communication with patients and their families, and provide staff training on conflict prevention and de-escalation techniques. These measures aim to reduce tension, improve workplace safety and restore public confidence in the health system.

The directive comes amid growing concern over the safety of health workers in Nigeria. Recent reports have documented multiple cases of patients' relatives attacking doctors, nurses and other health personnel over dissatisfaction with treatment outcomes, long waiting times or perceived poor service. In some instances, health workers have been physically assaulted, threatened with weapons or subjected to verbal abuse while on duty.

The situation has drawn comparisons to similar challenges in other countries. In India, for example, the central government recently asked states to implement night patrolling, regulate access to key hospital areas and display laws protecting healthcare workers after a high-profile case involving a junior doctor. That experience shows that violence against health workers is a global problem requiring coordinated policy responses.

In Nigeria, the health sector has also faced industrial unrest. The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) recently suspended an 84-day strike following conciliation meetings with the Federal Government, which approved payment of January 2026 salaries and withdrew the "No Work, No Pay" directive. While that dispute has been resolved, the underlying tensions over working conditions, welfare and safety remain.

Prof. Pate emphasised that the Federal Government is committed to protecting the health workforce and upholding the rule of law. "The Federal Government will continue to work with all relevant institutions to protect our health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure that healthcare delivery is never compromised," he said.

The government stressed that no grievance, disagreement or official assignment justifies violence against health workers or interference with healthcare delivery. Offenders will be held accountable under the law, and the ministry will monitor implementation through periodic progress reports.

For health workers, the new measures offer a measure of reassurance. Many have reported feeling vulnerable and unsupported when facing aggressive patients or relatives. The establishment of Violence Prevention Teams and liaison officers with law enforcement agencies could provide a clearer pathway for reporting incidents and seeking protection.

For patients and their families, the directive is a reminder that hospitals are places of healing, not confrontation. Improved complaint-handling mechanisms and better communication may help address grievances before they escalate into violence. Training staff in conflict prevention and de-escalation techniques could also reduce the likelihood of confrontations turning physical.

Implementation will be the real test. Many federal tertiary hospitals already face security challenges, including inadequate staffing, limited surveillance equipment and poor infrastructure. Establishing Violence Prevention Teams and improving access control will require resources, training and coordination with security agencies.

There is also the question of enforcement. While the government has warned of prosecution, past cases of violence against health workers have not always resulted in convictions. Strengthening the legal response will require cooperation between hospital management, law enforcement and the judiciary.

The directive signals a shift in how the government views the safety of health workers. Rather than treating attacks as isolated incidents, it is framing them as a systemic threat to healthcare delivery that requires coordinated action. If implemented effectively, the measures could improve working conditions, reduce staff turnover and enhance the quality of care.

For now, the message is clear: violence against health workers will not be tolerated, and offenders will face the full force of the law. The challenge is to turn that promise into reality across Nigeria's hospitals and clinics.