Health
Assault: The Albatross of LASUTH Healthcare Workers
By Olutayo Irantiola
The spate of physical violence in our society has increased tremendously, daily; the media is inundated with the news of all forms of assaults. It seems as if people have not taken lessons from all this reportage as it keeps rising astronomically. Unfortunately, this ugly trend has not spared healthcare workers and this is a dangerous position that must be discouraged.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines workplace violence as, “Incidents where staff are abused, threatened, or assaulted in circumstances related to their work, including commuting to and from work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well-being, or health.”
WHO considers both physical and psychological harm, including attacks, verbal abuse, bullying, and both sexual and racial harassment, to be workplace violence.
In a study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine, there are 4 types of violence that can occur in the workplace. The first type is by perpetrators who have no association with the workplace or employee.
In the second type, the assailant is a customer or a patient of the workplace or employee. The second type of violence, usually committed by the patient, their families, or their friends, is most prevalent against healthcare workers.
A third type is when the attacker is a current or former employee of the workplace. The fourth type occurs when the perpetrator has a personal relationship with the employee but not with the workplace.
Also, in an article published by BMC Health Services Research titled Manifestations of verbal and physical violence towards doctors: a comparison between hospital and community doctors by Tamar Nevo et al, doctors often are a target for workplace violence.
About a quarter of emergency room doctors reported that they were the victims of physical abuse over the previous year. In a study conducted at Michigan University, 89% of the violent incidents were by patients, 9% by family members, and 2% by friends of the patient.
The primary reasons for violence directed at the medical staff are long waiting times, dissatisfaction with treatment, a hurtful comment by a staff member, or the influence of drugs and alcohol on the attacker.
According to the US Department of Labour, 12% of the injuries sustained by registered nurses are from violent acts. These injuries can be deadly.
Last year in Nigeria, the former National President of Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Aliyu Sokomba, Secretary-General, Dr Bilqis Muhammed, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Egbogu Stanley, the association condemned the recent attack on members who were performing their legitimate duties in Maitama District Hospital, Abuja and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
The recent happening at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) wherein the relative of a patient, who was presented with a gunshot injury, assaulted the staff has brought the discourse to the fore again.
In the process of trying to resuscitate the patient, the relative attacked 3 nurses and a doctor in the line of work. In fact, one of the nurses had a deep cut on the head, while one was almost stripped naked. However, the security personnel of the hospital later got him apprehended and arrested.
With the significant rise in the population of Lagos, both in numbers and in age, the waiting time to see a doctor gets longer in both the emergency room and the wards. These frequent acts of violence against employees can have on their morale over time.
“Emergency care is one of the specialties that do have a high burnout rate. How many other places do you go to work, and it’s commonplace and almost accepted that people are going to swear and scream at you? Eighty per cent of the emergency physicians say that patients threaten them or threaten to return to the emergency department to harm them. The cumulative effect of both kinds of violence does wear and it creates burnout. I think it’s contributing to nurses leaving the profession.”
Although the hospital has put up “zero tolerance” signs, patients and their relatives do not adhere to this instruction. With the various ways of escalating the pain of patients and their relatives to the hospital management, people still find it easier to be violent rather than engage with the management team. Every day across the country, people are verbally and physically abusing staff.
The apprehended relative of the patient has been taken to court and the law would take its due course. All hands are on deck waiting for the verdict. It is wise to state that everyone needs to be calm even in the face of utmost provocation and seek other methods of dispute resolution rather than resorting to violence.
According to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo, with the level of innovative solutions that LASUTH is bringing to Lagosians through its dedicated healthcare workers, it can only be done in an atmosphere free of chaos and agitation.
Violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable. It harms the psychological and physical well-being of the staff but also affects their job motivation.
“The management of the hospital, under any circumstances, would not tolerate any assault against her staff going forward. The hospital provides for checks and balances within the hospital which is available to treat situations if they occur, and the hospital on several occasions appealed to aggrieved members of the public to seek redress through various channels.
“The hospital is committed to providing quality healthcare services to our patients and their relatives and we urge everyone to cooperate with our staff to facilitate their care,” he added.
As a responsible workplace, LASUTH has continued to investigate workplace violence incidents, risks, or hazards; provide training and education to employees who may be exposed to workplace violence hazards and risks; meet record-keeping requirements; and prohibit acts of discrimination or retaliation against employees for reporting workplace violence incidents, threats, or concerns.
It has become expedient, therefore, for policymakers, hospital managers, and supervisors should work collaboratively to minimize workplace violence and ensure the safety and psychophysical stability of all healthcare workers in Lagos and the nation at large.
Olutayo Irantiola is an astute PR Consultant and Public Affairs Analyst. He can be reached via [email protected] and he blogs on www.peodavies.com
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The decision of the management of SUNU Health Nigeria Limited to adopt the strategy of placing the enrollee and customer at the heart of its operations has started to pay off.
The company was recently announced as Most Customer-Focused Health Insurance Company of the Year at the Customer Service Standard Magazine Awards 2025.
The recognition underscored the company’s success in translating its dedication into tangible enrollee satisfaction and superior market service at the Nigerian Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) landscape.
It also highlights the organisation’s dedicated efforts in streamlining claims processing, enhancing access to quality healthcare providers, and maintaining transparent, responsive communication channels with its diverse client base across Nigeria.
The accolade further serves as a powerful testament to the successful integration of digital solutions and human-centric service models at SUNU Health.
It positions the firm as a leader not only in providing robust health plans but also in delivering the supportive, personalized care that enrollees truly value.
“Clinching the Most Customer-Focused Health Insurance Company of the Year award is not just an honour; it is a validation of the core philosophy that drives every member of the SUNU Health team.
“We believe that healthcare is fundamentally a service industry, and our success is measured by the well-being and satisfaction of our enrollees,” the chief executive of SUNU Health, Mr Patrick Korie, commented.
“This award reinforces our resolve to continuously innovate and set new benchmarks for customer experience in the Nigerian health insurance sector.
“Our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality, and seamless healthcare solutions remains our top priority as we move into the new year (2026),” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has launched its first nationally representative survey on antimicrobial resistance to generate critical data to guide evidence-based policies, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen health system resilience.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist treatment, making infections harder to cure.
As a result, surveillance is essential to track resistance patterns, identify priority pathogens, and guide targeted interventions and with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, the initiative marks a milestone in the country’s public health response.
Nigeria becomes the third country globally to partner with WHO on a national antimicrobial resistance survey. having been selected based on the country’s strong commitment to AMR surveillance, its updated WHO Nigeria NAP 2.0, and readiness to expand laboratory and data systems.
Africa’s most populous country ranks 20th globally for age-standardized mortality due to antimicrobial resistance . In 2019, an estimated 263,400 deaths in Nigeria were linked to it—more than the combined deaths from enteric infections, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, maternal and neonatal disorders, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases.
Globally, resistant infections in tertiary care settings cost between $2,371 and $29,289 per patient episode, extend hospital stays by an average of 7.4 days, and increase mortality risk by 84 per cent.
The survey will see the establishment of a national baseline on antimicrobial resistance prevalence to monitor interventions, assess the distribution, burden (morbidity, mortality, DALYs, cost), and diversity of AMR across regions and populations, as well as contribute to the global target of reducing AMR deaths by 10 per cent by 2030, in line with the political declaration endorsed at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in 2024.
It also seeks to strengthen routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance, including diagnostics, sample referral systems, and laboratory capacity.
Using WHO’s standardized methodology, the survey will run for 12–15 months and cover 40–45 randomly selected health facilities nationwide. Patients with suspected bloodstream infections (BSIs) will be identified using standard case definitions, and blood samples will be analysed in quality-assured laboratories.
Data will be collected across all age groups, covering clinical, demographic, laboratory, financial, and outcome indicators. Follow-up will occur at discharge, 28 days, and three months post-infection. The survey will sample approximately 35,000 patients suspected of BSIs to obtain around 800 isolates of the most common pathogens.
Dr Tochi Okwor, Acting Head, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said, “With WHO’s support, we are confident the survey will generate the evidence needed to protect public health.”
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment stating that ,“Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward combating AMR with an approach grounded in data, science, and measurable impact. This survey will provide the clarity needed to drive smarter policies, stronger surveillance, and better patient outcomes. Nigeria is laying the foundations for a resilient health system, one that protects lives, strengthens trust, and ensures that essential medicines remain effective for future generations.”
Adding her input, Dr Laetitia Gahimbare, Technical Officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa, added:“Strengthening surveillance enhances Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to AMR threats, supporting better patient outcomes, reinforcing health security, and building a resilient system.”
Professor Babatunde Ogunbosi, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at University College Hospital, Ibadan, highlighted the broader impact:, “This survey is about more than data. It’s about building national capacity for research, diagnostics, and policy. It integrates science into public health decision-making.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) in Nigeria, SUNU Health, has said its philosophy is proactive wellness, noting that this was why it recently partnered with The Divine Physician and St. Luke Catholic Chaplaincy Centre for a community health initiative.
The chief executive of the company, Dr Patrick Korie, said, “SUNU Health’s vision extends far beyond merely offering health packages and insurance.”
“We are fundamentally interested in proactive wellness—preventing illness rather than just treating it. This annual exercise is a crucial part of that commitment, and we will continue to champion it for as long as we exist,” he stressed.
The medical practitioner led the company’s annual Health Walk in Lagos on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The event drew hundreds of health enthusiasts, including the Chaplain of the centre, Rev Fr. John Okoria SJ.
His active participation reinforced the spiritual and moral commitment to holistic well-being, proving crucial in mobilizing staff and community members, thereby ensuring the vital wellness message reached a broad and deeply engaged audience.
The health walk covered several major streets in Lagos, starting from Ishaga Road and navigating through Itire Road, Randle Avenue, Akerele, Ogunlana Drive, and Workers Street before concluding back at the starting point. Following the vigorous walk, participants engaged in a session of high-energy aerobics and other outdoor exercises, reinforcing the day’s focus on fitness.
“We are delighted to champion this vital health initiative alongside the Catholic Chaplaincy Centre LUTH/CMUL. The turnout was truly delightful, reflecting the community’s deep desire to embrace wellness.
“Collaborations like this amplify our message and commitment to the Nigerian community,” the Brand and Corporate Communications Lead at SUNU Health, Mr Samuel Olayemi, stated.
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