The Ogun State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has demanded that security services cease the immediate arrest and prosecution of physicians regarding claims of medical malpractice. The association insists that such matters must first undergo formal review by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the regulatory authority designated by law to handle professional misconduct grievances.
During a press briefing in Abeokuta for the 2026 Annual General Meeting, NMA state chairman Dr. Ogunjimi Luqman Opeoluwa highlighted the disturbing trend of police detaining doctors following patient fatalities without conducting preliminary inquiries. He noted that clinicians serving in areas like Ota, Mowe, and Ogijo face frequent harassment after patient deaths, despite the fact that a clinical outcome is not an inherent indicator of negligence.
Dr. Opeoluwa emphasized that the association is actively seeking legal redress for three separate incidents involving the physical assault of medical staff. The AGM, themed “Protecting the Doctor, Caring for the Caregiver,” serves to address the rise in intimidation directed at healthcare providers. He encouraged the public to utilize formal hospital grievance procedures, such as SERVICOM units, rather than resorting to violence.
Addressing the ongoing exodus of medical professionals, Dr. Opeoluwa noted that while many are emigrating, others remain dedicated to serving the local population. He warned that Ogun State faces a severe shortage of personnel, with only 1,200 doctors currently employed in public facilities. To adequately support a population of nine million, the state would require a workforce of at least 5,000 to 10,000 doctors.
