The Federal Government has directed the immediate implementation of measures to protect health workers from assault, intimidation and harassment across the country.
The directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, constituted on May 19, 2026, after an incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and health workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State.
The incident disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action.
The committee, which reviewed reports from Federal Tertiary Health Institutions and consulted professional, regulatory, security and human rights bodies, found that the UUTH incident was not isolated.
It recorded 18 incidents of assault, intimidation or harassment across federal tertiary health institutions in the preceding 12 months, involving patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel.
The incidents resulted in bodily injuries, psychological harm, damage to hospital property, disruption of services and industrial action.
Poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, deficient infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and the absence of clear security protocols were identified as contributing factors.
Upon receiving the report, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, accepted the committee’s recommendations and directed their immediate implementation.
“Health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to carry out their duties in an environment that is safe, secure and free from violence, intimidation or harassment,” Pate said.
He added, “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.”
Under the measures, the government said anyone who “assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker” would be investigated and, where evidence warrants, prosecuted under applicable Nigerian laws.
The ministry stressed that “the absence of a specific law relating solely to violence against health workers shall not preclude enforcement under existing criminal, civil or administrative laws.”
It said “sanctions, compensation and other remedies available under the law shall be pursued in appropriate cases.”
Federal tertiary health institutions have also been directed to strengthen their internal security arrangements and establish Violence Prevention Teams.
They are expected to improve “access control, surveillance, visitor identification and security within emergency units and other sensitive service areas.”
Each institution must also designate officers to liaise with law enforcement agencies.
The ministry warned that security operations within hospitals must not interfere with medical care.
“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,” it said.
It added that such operations “shall be governed by agreed rules of engagement and, where necessary, formal memoranda of understanding.”
The government further directed that every incident of assault, threat or harassment within a health facility must be “promptly reported, investigated and documented.”
“Affected workers shall receive appropriate institutional support,” the ministry said, adding that serious cases would be referred to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory or human rights authorities.
Hospital managements have also been directed to strengthen complaint-handling procedures, improve patient communication and train staff in conflict prevention and de-escalation.
The ministry said the measures “form part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to improve workplace safety, the quality of patient care and public confidence in health institutions.”
It disclosed that the committee’s broader policy recommendations would be presented to the next National Council on Health for consideration.
The objective, it said, is to develop “a national framework applicable to Federal, State and Private Health Institutions.”
The ministry will monitor implementation against assigned responsibilities and timelines, with periodic progress reports to be submitted to the Coordinating Minister.
The Federal Government also issued a strong warning against interference with healthcare delivery, stressing that no disagreement or official assignment justified violence against medical personnel.
“No grievance, disagreement or official assignment constitutes lawful justification for violence against a health worker or interference with the delivery of healthcare,” the ministry said.
It added: “Existing laws will be enforced, offenders held to account, and all lawful measures will be taken to secure health facilities, protect health workers and safeguard uninterrupted patient care.”