The Management of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital has cautioned relatives of patients brought to the hospital for medical care from attacking the workers of the hospital.
It said that it will henceforth arrest and take legal action against the relatives of such patients who are involved in subjecting its workers to danger.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by Mrs Elizabeth Ajiboye, Head, Corporate Affairs Unit on behalf of the Management of UITH.
The statement made available to Punch correspondent on Thursday followed the alleged beating up of a medical doctor in the Accident and Emergency wing of the hospital on Tuesday by three relatives of a patient identified as Alhaji Soliu.
According to the hospital, the patient was brought to the hospital for medical care in the early hours of Tuesday but later died in the hospital.
The relations reportedly were infuriated by what they described as the nonchalant attitude of medical staff which they alleged led to the death of their relative.
However, UITH in its statement said, “We wish to remind members of the public on the roles of health workers in the health management system and the limitations of these health care providers in saving lives especially when the cases before them are presenting late.
“An extant case was that of a male patient admitted into the Accident and Emergency wing of the UITH on December 27, 2022.
“The patient in question was one of such cases presenting to the hospital late and with severe complications. Nevertheless, the health workers on duty, especially doctors swung into action but while battling for his life, he convulsed. He was stabilized from that stage, prompting the doctors to take over another case requiring emergency attention.”
“Three of the patient’s relations pounced on one of the doctors on duty, pinned him to the wall, and punched him severally but he managed to escape from them.
“It has now become imperative for the hospital to caution patients and their relations against any form of attack on its health care providers.
“Just as these workers had sworn to protect the lives of their patients, their own lives should not be endangered.
“Therefore, the management through the law enforcement agents has resolved to henceforth commence the arrest and prosecution of anyone irrespective of their status, threatening the lives of any of the workers of UITH in the course of their duties. Legal action will also henceforth be taken against such unruly relatives of our patients,” the hospital management said.
It, however, said, “We are at the same time, pledging our unalloyed commitment to continually save lives and make health care accessible to our law-abiding clients.”
