The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is warning people not to harass or intimidate healthcare workers, stating that doctors and nurses should not be blamed for every death that occurs in hospitals. The president of the NMA, Prof. Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, mentioned that there is now a legal policy in place to deal with such harassment. This issue has become more serious recently, especially after an incident in Akwa Ibom. The new policy, called the National Policy Against Intimidation and Harassment of Healthcare Workers, requires hospitals to ensure safety for their staff and to hold accountable anyone who harasses them. Offenders can face legal action and may need to compensate the affected healthcare workers. Omoti explained that many cases of harassment happen due to misunderstandings or grief from families who have lost loved ones. He emphasized that it is unfair to blame healthcare workers for deaths, especially when patients arrive in critical condition. The NMA is also encouraging hospitals to install security cameras to help prevent these incidents and to educate the public about hospital processes to reduce misconceptions.
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