Physicians at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Kwara State have ceased operations following the violent physical attack on one of their colleagues by a grieving mother. The incident occurred on Wednesday within the pediatric unit after the woman lost her child. She subsequently assaulted the attending doctor, who is now in serious condition.
The suspect has been taken into police custody, and an investigation is currently underway. On Thursday, numerous patients who arrived for appointments as early as 7:00 a.m. were left without care as doctors walked out in protest. The local chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors organized a demonstration across the hospital, publicly denouncing the violence.
Dr. E. Oladepo, acting as the spokesperson for the protesters, noted that this marks the third such attack at the facility. He expressed frustration over the mistreatment of medical staff, especially during a time when many practitioners are emigrating. While the walkout is expected to persist for five days with a anticipated return to work on Monday, internal sources suggest that hospital consultants may step in to handle critical emergency cases.
