On Tuesday staged a rare and coordinated protest to express their growing concerns over what they described as persistent harassment, intimidation, and unlawful arrests by government agencies—particularly personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
The demonstration, which brought together both public and private healthcare practitioners, underscored the seriousness of the situation and the unity within the medical community regarding the issue.
According to representatives of the two associations, several doctors have recently been subjected to arrest, detention, and questioning while carrying out their professional duties, often in emergency situations involving critically ill patients.
The medical professionals strongly condemned these actions, arguing that such interference not only undermines their ability to deliver timely and effective healthcare services but also poses a direct threat to patient safety and public health outcomes.
They emphasized that the clinical environment should remain protected from undue disruption, especially by law enforcement agencies whose actions, in these instances, were described as excessive and misinformed.
Leaders of the associations called on the Lagos State Government and relevant federal authorities to urgently intervene by establishing clear guidelines that define the boundaries of law enforcement engagement within medical settings.
They further demanded the immediate cessation of what they termed “unwarranted intrusions” into hospitals and clinics, as well as the release of any medical personnel currently detained under such circumstances.
In addition, the groups advocated for increased awareness and training for security agencies on medical ethics, patient rights, and the critical nature of healthcare delivery.
They warned that failure to address these issues could lead to a breakdown in trust between healthcare providers and authorities, potentially discouraging practitioners from responding to emergencies or operating in high-risk areas.
The protest concluded with a renewed commitment from the medical community to continue providing quality care to patients, while also vowing to pursue all lawful avenues to protect their professional integrity and ensure a safer working environment for healthcare workers across the state.