OOUTH Nurses Declare 72-Hour Warning Strike After Alleged Assault on Colleague
OOUTH Nurses Declare 72-Hour Warning Strike After Alleged Assault on Colleague
Nurses at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu, Ogun State, have declared a 72-hour warning strike following the alleged assault of a colleague by a patient’s relative.
The industrial action began at noon on Thursday, October 15, after a congress of nurses held earlier in the day. A notice announcing the strike was signed by Ajewole A. O., public relations officer of the hospital’s chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The notice directed nurses across all cadres to participate in the action. The strike is scheduled to end at midnight on Saturday, October 17, with nurses expected to resume work at 8 a.m. on Sunday, October 18.
The action follows an incident reportedly involving a nurse working the night shift on Wednesday, October 14. According to an incident report provided by nursing staff, a patient’s relative allegedly strangled and repeatedly slapped the nurse while medical staff were attending to critically ill patients. Two patients were reportedly experiencing cardiac arrest around the same time.
The report says a colleague who witnessed the alleged assault sought help from hospital security personnel, but no immediate response was received. A supervisor was subsequently contacted and reportedly reached out to the police for assistance.
The report further alleges that the patient’s relatives returned to the ward at approximately 1:25 a.m. and issued additional threats against nursing staff. The alleged return heightened concerns among workers about their safety while providing care during night shifts.
In a message shared after the incident, the affected nurse expressed gratitude for the support she had received. She said the swelling and redness on her face had reduced after she applied a cold compress overnight.
The incident has prompted renewed concerns among nurses about workplace safety, the adequacy of security arrangements at the hospital, particularly at night, and the protection available to healthcare workers performing their duties.
Nurses are reportedly calling for a formal investigation into the alleged assault, appropriate action against anyone found responsible, improved security and assurances that staff will be protected from further threats or intimidation.
The incident report also raises questions about the clinical management of the patient, who reportedly had end-stage neuroblastoma. Among the issues mentioned is a referral request made before the patient’s death. These matters have not been independently established and require careful review of relevant medical records and statements from the parties involved.
As of the time of filing, Remo TV said it had not independently verified all the allegations or received an official response from OOUTH management or the police. The hospital’s position on the reported incident and the nurses’ demands was not immediately available.
It also remains unclear how the warning strike will affect hospital services, including care for patients who require urgent or ongoing treatment.The allegations surrounding the assault and the patient’s care require further investigation.
Remo TV said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as verified information becomes available.
