Activities at the EKITI State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, have come to a grinding halt as labor unions declared an emergency and indefinite strike.
This unprecedented move followed a vicious attack by suspected hoodlums who brazenly invaded the medical facility, leaving destruction and chaos in their wake.
On Monday, reports flooded in that a group of hoodlums had targeted the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, specifically assaulting doctors and wreaking havoc on hospital property.
The assailants went so far as to steal a corpse, suspected to be the father of one of the hoodlums, adding a gruesome layer to their criminal activities.
The Association of Resident Doctors at EKSUTH took swift action in response to the alarming incident.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director, Professor Kayode Olabanji, and signed by the Association’s President, Dr Famous Adeyemi, the decision to embark on an indefinite strike was communicated.
The letter highlighted the urgent need for the hospital management and the state government to address the rising concerns regarding the safety and well-being of medical practitioners.
Dr Adeyemi emphasized, “This attack is happening at a time when our members are showing understanding with the state government on the non-implementation of our demands on improved welfare vis-a-vis being faced with work overload and exhaustion, which is as a result of poor remuneration, pay disparity, and the attending effect of local brain drain.”
The Association called for the apprehension and prosecution of the culprits, urging the government to attend to their pending demands promptly.
They also called on the state assembly to enact legislation criminalizing assaults on health workers in Ekiti State.
Confirming the severity of the situation, the spokesperson for the University Teaching Hospital, Rolake Adewumi, revealed that additional armed policemen had been deployed to ensure the security of the hospital.
The state police commissioner launched a manhunt to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In response to the incident, the hospital management, represented by Chief Medical Director Professor Kayode Olabanji, expressed their firm stance against violence towards their staff.
Four armed policemen were stationed at the Accident and Emergency unit, with additional security measures implemented at the main gate. The Division Police Officer assured frequent patrols, demonstrating a commitment to the safety of the hospital’s premises.
Professor Olabanji, in collaboration with law enforcement, engaged with the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria to identify and apprehend the ring leader of the attack, as there were indications that the person involved was a member of the association.
Notably, the hospital’s management emphasized that a previous similar incident resulted in legal proceedings against the perpetrator.
As the hospital strives to restore normalcy, Professor Olabanji called for calm among the staff, assuring them that measures were being taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
The management remains resolute in its commitment to protecting its staff from any form of molestation while discharging their duties, signaling a determination to uphold the integrity of the healthcare system in Ekiti State.
