The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has cautioned Nigerians against harassing or intimidating healthcare workers, emphasising that medical personnel should not be blamed for every death recorded in hospitals.
Prof. Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, president of the association, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, noting that a legal framework now existed to address such acts.
He said harassment and intimidation of health workers had been common in the past, but offenders would now be prosecuted under the National Policy Against Intimidation and Harassment of Healthcare Workers.
Omoti said the issue gained prominence following an incident in Akwa Ibom, adding that NMA officials had engaged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the growing trend.
“I had the privilege of representing doctors in a committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to address the issue. We completed our work and submitted the report.
