Nurses Shut Down Activities At OOUTH, Demand Justice After Colleague’s Alleged Assault

Nurses at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Ogun State have reportedly staged a protest and embarked on an immediate strike following the alleged assault of a colleague by a relative of a deceased patient.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the incident occurred during a night shift at the hospital’s Children’s Ward, where a nurse identified as Nurse Adeeko was allegedly slapped, beaten and strangled by a relative of a child who had died. She reportedly sustained injuries and briefly lost consciousness before being taken to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department for treatment.

The incident has triggered renewed concerns over the safety of healthcare workers, staffing shortages and security arrangements at the state-owned tertiary hospital.

Reports indicate that the confrontation followed the death of a critically ill child reportedly diagnosed with end-stage neuroblastoma. The nursing team had allegedly informed the attending medical team that the child’s condition was deteriorating and requested a referral to another hospital for further management. However, the report claimed that the referral was not completed before the child died.

The child’s relatives were also alleged to have threatened to cause trouble if anything happened to the patient. Following the death, one of the relatives reportedly became violent and attacked Adeeko while she was on duty.

The incident reportedly occurred at a time when two patients were experiencing cardiac arrests, leaving the two nurses on duty attending to separate medical emergencies. While they were occupied with efforts to save the patients, the deceased child’s relative allegedly attacked Adeeko.

Sources familiar with the incident claimed that the nurse was repeatedly slapped and strangled, causing her nose to bleed. A colleague who witnessed the incident reportedly sought assistance from hospital security personnel but alleged that the response was delayed.

According to the account, the colleague was directed to seek help from security personnel at the hospital’s main gate, which was some distance from the Children’s Ward. The supervisor on duty was eventually contacted, while the police were reportedly called to intervene.

The incident report further alleged that some of the deceased child’s relatives returned to the ward at about 1:25 a.m. and continued threatening members of the nursing staff.

Adeeko reportedly lost consciousness during the confrontation and was subsequently taken to the Accident and Emergency Department. In a message circulated among colleagues, she reportedly expressed concern that she did not have immediate photographic evidence of her injuries. A fellow nurse, identified as Nurse Lasis and described as the treasurer of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), was reportedly identified as a witness.

Following the incident, nurses at OOUTH staged a protest, demanding justice for their colleague and urgent measures to safeguard healthcare workers. Younger nurses, including members of Generation Z, reportedly led the demonstration before other colleagues joined.

The protesting nurses demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged assault, the threats reportedly made against staff and the response of security personnel after assistance was requested.

They also called for improved security coverage, particularly during night shifts, medical and psychological support for Adeeko, a review of staffing arrangements and an examination of the clinical concerns allegedly raised before the child’s death.

The nurses further demanded written assurances from hospital management that effective measures would be introduced to prevent similar incidents. They reportedly declared an immediate strike, with plans to resume work on Monday.

The protesters maintained that while the death of a critically ill child could be devastating for the family, it did not justify violence against healthcare professionals carrying out their duties.

“No nurse should have to choose between responding to a medical emergency and protecting herself from violence,” the nurses reportedly stated.

There were also allegations that nursing leaders were being pressured to persuade the protesting workers to return to duty rather than address their grievances. One source claimed that the hospital’s Chief Medical Director instructed nursing leaders to encourage the nurses to resume work. However, the available information did not independently establish these claims.

The development comes days after health workers at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, reportedly embarked on a warning strike following the alleged assault of colleagues by a patient’s relative.

The two incidents have intensified concerns about violence against healthcare workers in Ogun State and the potential impact on hospital operations, staff morale and the delivery of essential medical services.

The latest protest has also renewed calls for stronger security measures, adequate staffing and clear procedures for managing distressed patients and relatives, especially during emergencies and night shifts.

Although the deterioration or death of a loved one can cause considerable distress, healthcare workers and their professional associations have stressed the importance of addressing grievances without resorting to violence.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged assault at OOUTH, including the reported delay in security intervention and the clinical concerns raised before the child’s death, remain key issues in the nurses’ demand for a thorough and impartial investigation.