Attack on FMC Lokoja: RECAN urges health workers’ safety

A coalition of NGOs, the Rehoboth Community Advancement Initiative (RECAN), has condemned the recent invasion of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, by suspected hoodlums who destroyed and carted away personal and hospital property.

Hoodlums had, on July 1, invaded FMC Lokoja, during which they carried out the dastardly act.

RECAN’s executive director, Mr. Abaniwo Nathaniel, in a statement on Friday in Lokoja, expressed his support to all health workers responding to Covid-19 pandemic, and those working tirelessly in other health care as well.

He said health care workers, facilities and medical vehicles should never be a target of violence, urging governments, communities and all weapon bearers to respect and protect health care workers  and facilities at all times.

He urged the people to contribute to creating a protective environment in which health care services could be provided safely, saying, ”safety and protection of health care workers and healthcare infrastructure is paramount during the Coronavirus pandemic.

He said,”Ensuring that health care workers are safe and able to carry out their jobs is crucial for their protection and that must be guaranteed by the government.

“Violence against health care workers should not be tolerated. Therefore, we stand firmly against it and advised Kogi government to build a state where health workers and patients are safe and well protected.”

Nathaniel advised the state government to find a common ground in resolving the needless back-and-front argument on whether or not coronavirus exists in the state.

“We urge the state government to urgently intervene by setting up a panel of enquiry to look into the immediate cause of this needless attack on FMC Lokoja.”

He urged the security agencies to investigate the breach in security at the hospital, and anyone found culpable in the dishonourable act, be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Nathaniel, however, advised the management of FMC Lokoja to reconsider the strike and re-open the hospital to admit patients in dare need of medical services.

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