Nurses at the Ogun State Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta, organized a protest on Thursday, braving inclement weather to voice their concerns over the alleged assault of a final year nursing student by Dr. Nurudeen Adekunle, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the facility.
The incident reportedly occurred on September 24, when Dr. Adekunle allegedly slapped the student nurse in the theatre suite.
Despite attempts to seek redress from hospital management and government authorities, the nurses claim their efforts have been met with silence.
The demonstration was led by Adejoke Bello, the state chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
During the protest, nurses expressed their grievances through chants and placards that conveyed messages demanding an end to bullying and violence against nursing professionals. They called for respect and justice for nurses, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable in any workplace.
Bello articulated the purpose of the protest as a response to what she described as an unethical act by Dr. Adekunle. She condemned the assault as a violation of public service rules and a gross misconduct that should not occur under any circumstances.
Bello noted that despite submitting formal complaints to hospital management earlier in the week and allowing a 48-hour window for a response, there had been no communication from officials.
In her remarks, Lola Idowu Falujo, the Unit Chairman of NANNM at the Ogun State Hospital, echoed these sentiments. She highlighted that the actions of Dr. Adekunle were not only inappropriate but also threatened the professional integrity of nurses.
Falujo emphasized that nurses are dedicated to patient care and should not endure any form of maltreatment or harassment.