Nurses at the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, yesterday protested the alleged assault meted out on a final year student nurse by a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon identified as Dr Adekunle Nurudeen.
The nurses, who defied the early morning rain in Abeokuta, chanted various songs and were armed with placards carrying inscriptions such as “End bullying of nurses, “End nurse’s brutality, bullying of nurses is not acceptable, “Zero tolerance for nurses bullying,” “Respect for nurses, Respect for care,” and “Justice for nurses, a must,” among others.
They alleged that on September 24, Nurudeen, a staff member of the hospital, reportedly slapped the student nurse at the theatre. Despite attempts to seek reparation from the government, no positive outcome was obtained.
The protesting nurses were said to have mobilised their colleagues from other parts of the state for the demonstration to register their grievance over the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon’s unethical conduct.
Led by Comrade Adejoke Bello, the State Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, the protesters maintained that the assault was against public service rules. They demanded that the culprit be brought to justice.
“The peaceful demonstration was to register our dissatisfaction and displeasure over an unethical practice of a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with Ogun State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, Nurudeen Adekunle who slapped a final year student nurse precisely on September 24.’’
In her comment, the NAMNM Unit Chairman for State Hospital, Ijaye, Lola Falujo, expressed her displeasure over the alleged incident, stressing that all sorts of nurse bullying and threats must stop.
Addressing the protesters, the Permanent Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr Olayinka Elemide, said the government is aware of the situation and is already taking steps to address the matter.
“The government is aware of this situation and is taking steps to ensure that due process is followed. The doctor and the student nurse are in the government’s care, so we are on top of the situation”.
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