The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of measures to safeguard health workers across the country following the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel.
The directive follows an incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, where operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) clashed with hospital workers, disrupting clinical services and sparking industrial action.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the committee, constituted on May 19, 2026, reviewed reports from federal tertiary health institutions and consulted professional bodies, regulators, security agencies and human rights organisations.
The committee found that the Uyo incident was not an isolated case, revealing that 18 incidents of assault, intimidation or harassment were recorded in federal tertiary health institutions within the past 12 months.
According to the report, the incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel, leading to injuries, psychological trauma, damage to hospital property, disruption of healthcare services and industrial actions.
The committee identified poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, poor infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and the absence of clear security protocols as key factors behind the recurring incidents.
Receiving the report, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, approved the committee’s recommendations and directed their immediate implementation across all federal health institutions.
“Health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to perform their duties in an environment that is safe, secure and free from violence, intimidation or harassment,” Pate said.
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He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working with relevant institutions to protect the health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
As part of the new measures, the government directed that anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker should be investigated and prosecuted under existing Nigerian laws where sufficient evidence exists.
It stressed that the absence of a specific law on violence against health workers does not shield offenders from criminal, civil or administrative sanctions.
The government also ordered all federal tertiary health institutions to strengthen internal security by establishing Violence Prevention Teams, improving access control systems, enhancing surveillance, introducing visitor identification procedures and reinforcing security around emergency units and other sensitive areas.
Hospitals were further directed to appoint liaison officers to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that any security operation within hospital premises does not endanger patients, interrupt medical care or compromise patient confidentiality.
In addition, all incidents involving assault, threats or harassment within health facilities must be promptly reported, investigated and documented, while affected health workers are to receive institutional support.
Hospital managements were also instructed to improve complaint-handling mechanisms, strengthen communication with patients and their families, and provide staff with training on conflict prevention and de-escalation.
The statement added that the committee’s broader policy recommendations would be presented at the next National Council on Health for consideration as part of efforts to develop a national framework applicable to federal, state and private health institutions.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said it would monitor compliance through periodic progress reports submitted to the Coordinating Minister, stressing that no grievance or official assignment justifies violence against health workers or disruption of healthcare services.
