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
A transformative webinar to raise awareness on postpartum depression (PPD) by nursing mothers has been organised by MSc Media and Communication students from the School of Media and Communications of the Pan-Atlantic University.
The programme titled Beyond Baby Blues: Understanding and Overcoming Postpartum Depression was held on January 7, 2025.
It was put together by the students under the Mums Feel Warmth initiative, with experts in the field invited to speak on the matter aimed at empowering mothers and fostering a sense of reassurance.
The webinar was to highlight the journey through postpartum depression, offering a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of mental health support for mothers everywhere.
One of the speakers, Dr Laja Odunuga, who is the Care Coordinator for AVON HMO, explained the difference between the common “baby blues” and the more severe, long-lasting PPD.
The discussion highlighted how PPD can manifest not just as sadness but through severe fatigue, disconnection from the newborn, and loss of interest in activities, which can last well beyond the typical two-week period associated with baby blues.
Another expert, Ms Otomfon Ibanga, the Assistant Lead Nurse for Q-Life Family Clinic, emphasised the role of support systems, urging families and friends to be vigilant for signs of PPD and to provide a nurturing environment.
She also discussed prevention strategies, including prenatal planning for support structures and post-delivery management through therapy or medication.
On his part, Dr Chimaraoke Obialo, who is the Medical Director of Life Amada Health Consultancy, addressed the stigma surrounding PPD, advocating for education to transform societal perceptions from judgement to support.
The webinar underscored the need for community involvement, not just in recognising symptoms but in actively participating in the healing process by offering emotional and practical support.
The Mums Feel Warmth webinar was more than just an educational session; it was a call to action for society to embrace and support new mothers dealing with PPD.
By fostering open conversations and providing platforms for sharing experiences, Mums Feel Warmth continues to lead the charge against the stigma of PPD.
The commitment shown by the panellists and attendees alike promises a future where every mother has access to the understanding and care needed to navigate through the complexities of postpartum depression, ensuring that the joy of motherhood is not overshadowed by mental health challenges.
Mums Feel Warmth, with its core values of empathy, compassion, hope, community, and education, speaks to the Sustainable Development Goal 3, advocating for good health and well-being.
The initiative is breaking the silence around PPD, a condition that can significantly impact new mothers in the critical period following childbirth.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country is at “moderate” risk for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus that leads to an upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms like cough, fever, and nasal congestion.
In a public health advisory, the Nigerian health agency said the federal government is closely monitoring the outbreak of the virus and is taking safety measures to “strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity”.
Recent reports indicate a significant rise in HMPV cases in China, as well as increased respiratory infections linked to HMPV in countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Germany, particularly during the winter season.
The NCDC said it conducted a risk assessment for the HMPV in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
“The assessment classified the risk of HMPV for Nigeria as moderate. This evaluation will inform and guide preparedness efforts, decision-making, and response strategies to mitigate potential impacts,” the advisory said.
It said the NCDC is working to give Nigerians “timely, accurate information and guidance to keep the Nigerian public informed and prepared”.
NCDC noted that it “in collaboration with Port Health Authorities, is taking proactive steps to ensure robust preparedness at all international points of entry (PoEs) in response to the dynamic risk assessment for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
“These measures are designed to mitigate the potential risk of HMPV transmission through international travel.”
HMPV was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001 and the virus spreads through direct contact between people or when someone touches surfaces contaminated with it.
Children under two are most vulnerable to the virus alongside those with weakened immune systems such as the elderly and those with advanced cancer, according to medical experts.
There have also been worries that this could be like COVID-19, but experts have eased the fear as they are not similar because pandemics are typically caused by novel pathogens, which is not the case for HMPV.
Health
Digitising Healthcare With Local Realities in Mind: Shaping The Future of Healthcare in Africa
eHealth Africa (eHA) has urged governments and stakeholders to explore the critical factors beyond technology that are essential for the deployment of digital health solutions for the long-term success of public health systems across Africa. Data-backed interventions will help streamline operations and enable the formulation of interventions that appreciate the cultural norms when addressing the immediate needs of different communities within the region.
Speaking during a panel session at the Global Digital Health Forum 2024 in Nairobi, eHealth Africa’s Executive Director Atef Fawaz emphasised the importance of integrating technology with local cultures and addressing community-specific needs. “Understanding the unique healthcare challenges in each country allows us to deploy tech solutions that truly make an impact.”For instance, eHealth Africa successfully delivered over 5.8 million vaccines (5,801,209) to 351 primary healthcare facilities across states in Nigeria which was made possible through the deployment of the innovative Logistics Management Information System (LoMIS) application.
“The system significantly improved the availability of vaccines for Routine Immunisation (RI), ensuring timely and efficient distribution while eliminating stockouts at primary healthcare facilities. This intervention highlights our commitment to strengthening immunisation programs and enhancing healthcare delivery at the grassroots level,” he said.
In his contribution, Abdulhamid Yahaya, the Deputy Director of Global Health Informatics highlighted the need to understand the local cultural, social, and regulatory landscape to build solutions that are designed with local realities in mind.
eHealth Africa Board Member Micheline Ntiru said using technology provided stakeholders among them global health leaders, tech innovators, and development experts as well as local communities a platform to create the right solutions that work within the constraints of each community, and with the support of local leadership.
For instance, local health workers have been using mobile-based reminder systems to improve compliance and overall health outcomes while some local immunisation centres have been sending SMS reminders to parents as well as to provide educational messages about the diseases they protect against. Mobile phones, now available in nearly 80 per cent of African homes, can also be used during emergencies to dispatch mass announcements about satellite clinic locations and schedules.
According to the World Health Organisation, increased use of the Internet, email, social networking sites and availability of mobile phones facilitates the deployment of eHealth solutions, applications and services towards the improvement of national health systems. The use of technological eHealth solutions could also be used to encourage positive lifestyle changes to prevent and control common diseases.
The panel moderated by Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programs comprised of Ms Ntiru (Delta40 ventures), Mr Yahaya (eHealth Africa), Chief Impact Officer at Tiko – Serah Malaba, Dr Olamide Okulaja (Maisha Meds), Audere Chief Executive Officer Dr Dino Rech, and Rachel Alladian from Jacaranda. They discussed how strategic partnerships, regulatory compliance, and a deep understanding of local contexts are crucial for driving digital health innovations that can succeed in diverse regions.
The GDHF forum was attended by health scholars, researchers, and representatives from the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malaysia, Somalia and Sri Lanka as well as representatives from the World Bank, medicine manufacturers, technology vendors, UN agencies among others.
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