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The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, has commenced a five-day warning strike following the assault of a doctor and ongoing security concerns at the medical facility.

The industrial action began at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday after an Emergency General Meeting convened at the ARD Lounge.

The association explained that Wednesday’s assault on a doctor prompted the strike, but stressed that the incident was part of a recurring pattern of aggression and insecurity affecting doctors and other healthcare workers at the centre.

In a communique issued after the meeting and signed by its President, Dr Olanipekun Quadri, and General Secretary, Dr Olorunfemi Solomon, the association said a number of demands earlier submitted to management had yet to be resolved.

Among the outstanding issues, it cited the failure to compensate house officers whose personal belongings were stolen from their quarters on June 4, 2026, inadequate lighting in areas where night duties are carried out, and weak security around the Emergency Treatment Room.

The ARD stated that the ETR remains “excessively porous”, allowing unrestricted access by patients’ relatives and unauthorised individuals, thereby leaving healthcare workers vulnerable to confrontation and assault. It also noted that sufficient security personnel, including armed officers, had not been stationed at strategic points.

The association also criticised a recent publication attributed to SERVICOM, saying it negatively influenced public perception of doctors despite the management having already constituted an investigative panel to examine the incident.

As part of measures to resolve the situation, the association called for immediate compensation for the affected house officers, the deployment of armed security personnel to high-risk areas, improved security and access control at the ETR, as well as the installation of functional lighting.

Other demands include an official response to misinformation circulating on social media, the display of standard admission and emergency procedures, moving payment points outside the ETR, installing CCTV cameras, removing the waiting area from 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 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 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 emphasised that the five-day warning strike neither cancels nor replaces the 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to management, maintaining that all the demands contained in the ultimatum remain valid and in force.

It added that it was still willing to engage in dialogue, while calling on management to implement immediate, concrete and verifiable measures to protect healthcare workers and ensure uninterrupted medical services.

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