The federal government has ordered the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of health workers across the country following a rise in incidents of harassment, intimidation and assault in healthcare facilities.

The directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom.

The committee was set up on 19 May after an incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and workers of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State.

Ms Kachollom said the incident disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action, prompting the federal government to constitute the committee to investigate the matter and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences nationwide.

She said the committee reviewed reports from Federal Tertiary Health Institutions and consulted relevant professional, regulatory, security and human rights bodies before submitting its findings to the government.

The permanent secretary said the committee found that the Uyo incident was not isolated, with 18 cases of assault, intimidation or harassment reported across federal tertiary health institutions within the preceding 12 months.

According to Ms Kachollom, the incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public and security personnel, resulting in bodily injuries, psychological harm, damage to hospital property and service disruptions.

She added that the committee also identified poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, deficient infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority and absence of clear security protocols as contributory factors to the incidents.

Following receipt of the report, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, accepted the committee’s recommendations and ordered their immediate implementation with an accompanying action plan.

Mr Pate said health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to carry out their duties in an environment that is safe, secure and free from violence, intimidation or harassment.

He said the federal government will continue to work with all relevant institutions to protect the health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure that healthcare delivery is never compromised.

The minister warned that anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or harasses a health worker would be investigated and prosecuted where evidence warranted under applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The absence of a specific law relating solely to violence against health workers would not prevent enforcement through existing criminal, civil or administrative laws, including applicable sanctions and compensation,” he said.

“Federal Tertiary Health Institutions have been directed to strengthen internal security arrangements and establish Violence Prevention Teams to improve safety within health facilities nationwide.”

The ministry said that the institutions are also expected to improve access control, surveillance systems, visitor identification procedures and security around emergency units and other sensitive service areas to safeguard healthcare delivery.

Measures

Ms Kachollom further directed every institution to designate liaison officers for engagement with law enforcement agencies and ensure security operations within hospitals do not endanger patients or interrupt essential services.

She said all incidents of assault, threats or harassment within health facilities must be promptly reported, investigated and documented, while affected workers should receive institutional support and appropriate referrals where necessary.

Hospital managements were also directed to strengthen complaint-handling procedures, improve patient communication and train staff in conflict prevention and de-escalation as part of broader workplace safety initiatives.

The permanent secretary said broader policy recommendations contained in the report would be presented to the next National Council on Health for consideration towards adopting a national framework covering federal, state and private health institutions.

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She added that the ministry would monitor implementation against assigned responsibilities and timelines, with periodic progress reports submitted to the Coordinating Minister to ensure effective compliance nationwide.

“The federal government affirms that no grievance, disagreement or official assignment constitutes lawful justification for violence against a health worker or interference with the delivery of healthcare,” she said.

She added that existing laws would be enforced, offenders held accountable and all lawful measures taken to secure health facilities, protect health workers and safeguard uninterrupted patient care.

(NAN)

Nigeria’s path to the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage has once again brought the country’s clubs face-to-face with the enduring power of North African football.

Shooting Stars have been handed a daunting second preliminary-round tie against three-time Confederation Cup winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, while El-Kanemi Warriors could face another North African heavyweight, Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, if they overcome Benin Republic’s UDIB.

For the Nigerian representatives, the draw is a reminder of the enormous continental hurdle posed by clubs from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

A familiar continental problem for Nigeria

North Africa’s dominance of the Confederation Cup is difficult to ignore.

Since the competition was established in 2004, North African clubs have won 18 of the 23 completed editions, including the last four.

The region has produced multiple champions through CS Sfaxien, Raja Casablanca, Zamalek, RS Berkane, USM Alger, Al Ahly, Etoile du Sahel and other heavyweight clubs. CAF notes that the 2025/26 final between USM Alger and Zamalek was the ninth all-North African final, while five of the last eight finals had featured two clubs from the region.

Nigeria, by comparison, has never won the Confederation Cup.

The country’s best performance came in 2005, when Dolphins reached the final. CAF also records Nigeria as the country with the most different representatives in the competition , 24 since 2004 highlighting the gap between participation and conversion into continental success.

Shooting Stars face a proven continental force

Shooting Stars’ challenge is particularly significant.

CS Sfaxien are not merely another Tunisian opponent. They are the competition’s record three-time winners, having lifted the trophy in 2007, 2008 and 2013.

The Ibadan club must therefore negotiate a tie against one of the most experienced sides in Confederation Cup history before they can even think about the next qualifying hurdle.

And should Shooting Stars prevail, another West African tie against either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions awaits.

El-Kanemi’s potential Raja obstacle

El-Kanemi Warriors have a seemingly more manageable first assignment against UDIB of Benin Republic.

But qualification would immediately bring a much bigger test.

Raja Casablanca, twice Confederation Cup champions, are waiting on the other side of the bracket.

The Moroccan giants have already demonstrated their ability to eliminate Nigerian opposition in this competition, beating Enyimba in the 2018 semi-finals before going on to win the title.

The recent record also underlines the scale of the problem.

Enyimba were drawn against Egyptian giants Zamalek and Al Masry in the 2024/25 Confederation Cup group stage and failed to record a win against either Egyptian opponent, eventually exiting in third place.

North Africa’s continental advantage

The problem extends beyond individual match-ups.

North African clubs have built a sustained ecosystem around continental football, combining stronger financial resources, deeper squads, greater continental experience and regular exposure to high-pressure CAF knockout football.

CAF’s wider Champions League history tells the same story, with the governing body describing Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia as the countries whose clubs have particularly dominated the competition in the modern era.

For Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi, however, the immediate task is straightforward.

Shooting Stars must find a way past CS Sfaxien.

El-Kanemi must first eliminate UDIB, knowing that doing so could earn them a blockbuster showdown with Raja Casablanca.

For Nigerian clubs seeking a return to the group-stage elite, North Africa once again stands firmly in the way.