ABEOKUTA — The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, has commenced a five-day warning strike to protest an assault on a colleague and ongoing security challenges at the hospital.
The strike, which began at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, was declared following an Emergency General Meeting held at the ARD Lounge.
The association stated that the strike was directly triggered by the assault on a doctor on Wednesday, emphasizing that the incident is part of a broader pattern of aggression and insecurity directed at doctors and healthcare workers at the facility.
In a communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting, signed by ARD President Dr. Olanipekun Quadri and General Secretary Dr. Olorunfemi Solomon, the association noted that several demands previously presented to the hospital management remain unresolved.
The unresolved issues highlighted include the management’s failure to compensate house officers who lost personal belongings during a theft at their quarters on June 4, 2026, inadequate lighting in areas used for night duties, and lax security at the Emergency Treatment Room (ETR).
The ARD described the ETR as “excessively porous,” noting that the unrestricted movement of patients’ relatives and unauthorized individuals exposes staff to confrontation and assault. The association further stated that adequate security personnel, including armed guards, have not been deployed to strategic locations.
The doctors also criticized a recent publication attributed to SERVICOM, arguing that it prejudiced public perception against doctors while an investigation panel set up by management is still probing the incident.
To resolve the situation, the association demanded immediate compensation for the affected house officers, the deployment of armed security personnel to high-risk areas, strengthened security and access control at the ETR, and the provision of functional lighting.
Additional demands include an official public rebuttal of misinformation circulating on social media, the display of standardized admission and emergency protocols, the relocation of payment points outside the ETR, the installation of CCTV cameras, the elimination of the waiting area inside the ETR, and the immediate prosecution of the individual who assaulted the doctor.
“The continued recurrence of these concerns, despite such assurances, has left the Association with serious reservations regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of the interventions undertaken to date,” the communique stated.
“The Association remains committed to constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue with Hospital Management and all relevant stakeholders towards achieving a safe, secure and conducive environment for healthcare delivery at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta,” the doctors noted.
“The Association urges Hospital Management to take immediate, concrete, and verifiable steps towards addressing these concerns in the interest of the safety and welfare of healthcare workers, patient safety, industrial harmony and uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services,” the communique added.
The association clarified that the five-day warning strike does not withdraw or replace a 21-day ultimatum previously issued to the management, emphasizing that all demands within that ultimatum remain valid and in effect.
While stating it remains open to dialogue, the ARD urged the hospital’s management to take immediate, concrete, and verifiable steps to ensure the safety of health workers and the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services.
