By Adejoke Adeleye

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako- Oyedele, has proposed possible ways to address violence against doctors and the healthcare delivery system in the country.

The Deputy Governor made the suggestions while declaring open the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State branch, with the theme: Protecting healthcare providers: addressing violence against Doctors and strengthening a safe healthcare system; in Abeokuta.

Speaking at the event, the deputy governor said strengthening security within healthcare facilities, stronger legal protection for healthcare workers, investing in better communication, paying greater attention to the well-being of healthcare workers themselves, strengthening public education and community engagement will help to stop violence against medical doctors.

Oyedele added that governments, healthcare institutions, professional associations, security agencies and the community must continue to work together to curb the menace, noting that the collaboration would ensure the safety of healthcare practitioners.

She said that with the nature of their profession, healthcare workers had a duty to dedicate their lives to preserving life, restoring health under immense pressure and protecting others, while they remained susceptible to various kinds of harm and occupational hazards, revealing that the worldwide data collated by the World Health Organisation, (WHO) showed that 38 percent of healthcare workers experience physical violence at some point in their career.

‘’Nigeria is not an exception, as violence is a global challenge; reports has shown that Doctors, Nurses and other healthcare professionals were verbally abused, physically assaulted and threatened as a result of patients’ deaths, while carrying out their duties,’’ she said.

The Deputy Governor added that the healthcare system in Ogun remained one of the priority sectors under the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration, saying he had continued to invest in strengthening primary healthcare, expanding access to quality health services, improving health infrastructure, recruiting healthcare personnel and increasing access to affordable healthcare through the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.

According to her ‘as Chair of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Task Force, I regularly receive reports and feedback across our health system. It is encouraging to see the progress we make in expanding access to quality healthcare; these reports underscore the pressures under which our healthcare workers operate.’

She pleaded with policymakers, hospital administrators, security agencies, professional associations, community leaders, and every citizen to rise to the challenge of protecting healthcare providers, noting that it was not the sole responsibility of the government or the medical profession but of everyone in the nation.

Also speaking, Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Saka Olanrewaju, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Qudus Yusuf, said government would prioritise the welfare of Doctors in the State and would not relent in its efforts to provide efficient and affordable healthcare to its citizenry.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Tamramat Runsewe-Abiodun, in her remarks, said the theme was apt as it aided in knowing the percentage of health care providers that had experienced physical and psychological violence, commending Ogun NMA for having zero tolerance for violence and pleaded with relevant stakeholders to rise towards addressing the issue of brain drain as a result of violence experienced on the job.

In her Contribution, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, appreciated NMA Ogun State chapter for ensuring professional discipline and peaceful collaboration with the State government, assuring them of support at all times.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman NMA Ogun State branch, Dr. Ogunjimi Luqman, commended the State government for the prompt payment of adjustable allowance, saying his administration had successfully negotiated and secured payment of medical residency training funds for the year 2025, hosted the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting with over 300 members in attendance amongst others.