YENAGOA: Medical services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, were brought to a standstill on Thursday after doctors embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the alleged assault of one of their colleagues by security personnel, leaving scores of patients stranded and forcing many to seek treatment elsewhere.
The industrial action followed an incident that reportedly occurred after the death of a patient receiving treatment at the hospital.
According to reports, the deceased patient had been brought to the medical facility by personnel from one of Nigeria’s armed forces. The patient’s death allegedly triggered anger among some security operatives, who were said to have assaulted the doctor attending to the patient before taking him to an undisclosed location.
The incident sparked outrage among members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Bayelsa State chapter, which immediately directed its members working at the Federal Medical Centre to withdraw their services indefinitely in protest.
The strike disrupted activities at the hospital, with patients and their relatives left without access to medical care. Many were seen leaving the hospital premises in search of alternative healthcare facilities across Yenagoa.
When journalists visited the hospital, there was visible tension as patients, caregivers, and visitors hurriedly vacated the premises following the suspension of medical services.
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Medical Centre, Mr. Akpedi Bernard, said the hospital management was aware of the incident and was working to resolve the crisis.
He explained that the strike arose from an incident that occurred in one of the hospital wards and assured that management was making efforts to restore normalcy through dialogue and engagement with all parties involved.
Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has condemned the alleged assault on the medical doctor.
The Chairman of the organisation in Bayelsa State, Comrade Bekinwari David-West, described the attack as unacceptable and called on the relevant authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the incident.
He urged security agencies to identify and prosecute anyone found responsible for assaulting the doctor, stressing that healthcare workers should be protected while carrying out their professional duties.
David-West also appealed to the striking doctors to consider the welfare of patients and suspend the industrial action while discussions continue to resolve the dispute peacefully.
As of the time of filing this report, medical services at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, remained suspended, with patients continuing to seek treatment at other hospitals as efforts to end the impasse continued.
