By Saminu Ibrahim
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has condemned the reported stabbing of a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged assailant.
The victim, Mr. Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, was reportedly attacked in an incident the ministry described as barbaric and unacceptable.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said no grievance, frustration or dissatisfaction with medical care could justify violence against a health worker performing his lawful duties.
Salako called on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the swift arrest of the suspect, adding that the ministry would closely monitor the case to ensure that justice was served.
He said the incident underscored the urgent need to implement measures directed by the ministry on August 5, 2026, to strengthen the security of health workers in federal tertiary health institutions.
The measures include improved security arrangements, violence-prevention teams, incident-reporting mechanisms, collaboration with law-enforcement agencies and better complaint-handling procedures.
The minister stressed that the measures must translate into effective protection for health personnel across healthcare facilities.
He also appealed to health workers who had embarked on industrial action at FMC Abeokuta to resume duties in the interest of patients and the general public.
According to him, the workers should allow security agencies to conduct their investigation and discharge their responsibilities.
Salako further urged the hospital management to ensure that the injured staff member receives appropriate medical care and support, while strengthening security arrangements in line with Federal Government directives.
The minister also extended the Federal Government’s condolences to the family of the deceased patient, acknowledging the pain associated with losing a loved one and the need for compassion and appropriate attention.
He urged patients and their relatives who had concerns about the quality of care received at the hospital to use the facility’s formal complaints mechanism rather than resort to violence.
The ministry reiterated that protecting health workers was essential to ensuring safe and uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
He added that healthcare facilities must remain safe environments where medical personnel could perform their duties without fear of violence and patients could seek treatment with confidence.
