FMC Abeokuta workers begin 72-hour warning strike

Workers union at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, on Monday began a 72-hour warning strike over an alleged stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist by a patient’s relative.

The Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), FMC Abeokuta, Abiodun Famuyiwa, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Abeokuta.

Mr Famuyiwa said the strike involved workers in the centre, excluding doctors, following an alleged stabbing of the scientist while on duty on Sunday night.

“Mr Olasunkanmi Lawal, a medical laboratory scientist, was stabbed in two places, including the head, with an object, and he is now receiving treatment at the hospital.

“The incident has been reported to the police and referred to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.

He described the incident as an unacceptable act of violence against a healthcare worker performing his official duties.

He expressed concern over the safety of healthcare professionals in the hospital, saying that no worker should be subjected to physical attacks while providing essential medical services.

He also demanded that the incident be investigated and the alleged assailant be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The MHWUN chairman urged the management to review and strengthen existing arrangements, particularly in clinical and laboratory areas, emergency units, and other vulnerable locations.

He added that the warning strike was intended to express members’ displeasure, demand accountability, and compel the management to address their security concerns.

Meanwhile, the unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), also announced the industrial action in a position letter dated 12 October and addressed to the Medical Director of the hospital.

The letter stated that the strike commenced at 11 a.m. on Monday and was scheduled to end at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

NAN reports that the letter was endorsed by representatives of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), MHWUN, and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM),

Others are the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

The letter read: “This barbaric act of violence against a healthcare worker carrying out his professional responsibility is condemnable and must not be treated with levity.

‘We consider this incident a serious assault on the dignity, safety, and welfare of healthcare professionals who dedicate their time, knowledge, and energy to providing essential medical services to patients and the public.

“It is deeply disturbing that a facility established to preserve life and promote healing has become a place where healthcare workers may be subjected to physical attacks while discharging their lawful duties.

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“No healthcare worker deserves to be threatened, assaulted, or stabbed in the course of providing care.

“Disagreement, frustration, or dissatisfaction with any service rendered in the hospital cannot justify violence under any circumstance.”

It also stated that the incident was not merely an attack on the affected medical laboratory scientist, but an attack on the entire workforce of the centre.

“An injury to one member of our professional community is a matter of collective concern, and we cannot remain silent while the safety of our member is placed in jeopardy,” it stated.

(NAN)