The Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF) National is deeply concerned and saddened by the unfortunate incident involving one of our members, who was reportedly stabbed at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta. This disturbing development is a serious cause for concern and highlights the urgent need to prioritise the safety and security of healthcare professionals in their workplaces.
Medical Laboratory Scientists play a vital role in healthcare delivery. Through accurate laboratory investigations, we provide essential information that supports diagnosis, treatment, disease monitoring, and patient management. Like every other healthcare professional, we deserve to work in an environment where our lives, dignity, and professional responsibilities are respected and protected.
Our colleague is known to many as a calm, respectful, and easygoing person. It is therefore particularly painful and disturbing to learn of this incident. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the event, violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable and must never be normalised, excused, or treated with indifference.
As a Forum, we unequivocally condemn all forms of violence, intimidation, harassment, and physical assault against healthcare workers. No healthcare professional should have to fear for their life while carrying out their legitimate duties. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities must remain safe environments for both patients and the professionals entrusted with their care.
We therefore call on the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, and the appropriate security and law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into this incident. We urge the relevant authorities to ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law. We also encourage the hospital management to provide the necessary support to our colleague and review existing workplace security measures to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
Furthermore, we call on healthcare institutions across the country to strengthen security arrangements, establish effective mechanisms for reporting threats and assaults, and promote a culture of mutual respect among healthcare workers, patients, visitors, and members of the public. The protection of healthcare professionals must be treated as a priority, not an afterthought.
OUR LIVES AND SAFETY MATTER TOO!
We cannot continue to work under the fear of being attacked, assaulted, or injured while striving to save lives. Healthcare workers are human beings who deserve protection, respect, and dignity. We must be safe and alive to provide the quality healthcare services our patients need. No professional commitment should require anyone to sacrifice their personal safety in the face of preventable violence.
A PUBLIC CALL TO ACTION: LET US STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES!
The YMLSF National calls on the Federal Government, state governments, hospital managements, security agencies, professional regulatory bodies, healthcare associations, civil society organisations, and members of the general public to take a firm and united stand against violence directed at healthcare workers.
We specifically demand the following actions:
1. FMC Abeokuta Management: We urge the hospital management to investigate this incident thoroughly, ensure appropriate support for the affected Medical Laboratory Scientist, and implement effective measures to strengthen the safety of staff within the facility.
2. Security and Law Enforcement Agencies: We call for a prompt and impartial investigation and appropriate legal action against anyone found responsible, in accordance with the law.
3. Government and Policymakers: We urge the relevant authorities to strengthen policies and enforcement mechanisms that protect healthcare workers from workplace violence and ensure that hospitals have adequate security arrangements.
4. Professional Bodies and Healthcare Associations: We call on all professional organisations to speak out against attacks on healthcare workers, support affected colleagues, and advocate for enforceable workplace safety standards across healthcare institutions.
5. Healthcare Workers: We encourage all healthcare professionals to report incidents of threats, harassment, and assault through appropriate channels and to support one another in promoting safe and respectful workplaces.
6. Members of the Public: We urge patients, relatives, visitors, and the wider public to treat healthcare professionals with respect, exercise restraint during disagreements, and recognise that violence is never an acceptable response to dissatisfaction or misunderstanding.
WE MUST MOVE BEYOND CONDEMNATION TO CONCRETE ACTION. Statements of solidarity are important, but they must be followed by investigations, accountability, improved security, and policies that protect healthcare workers from preventable harm.
We also urge the medical laboratory science community and the general public to amplify this message through their platforms, engage relevant authorities constructively, and demand safer working environments for everyone who serves in the healthcare sector. Let this unfortunate incident be a turning point in the collective effort to ensure that no healthcare professional has to risk their life simply by showing up to work.
TO OUR DEAR COLLEAGUE: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
We want you to know that the entire YMLSF family stands firmly in solidarity with you during this difficult time. We wish you strength and a full recovery from this unfortunate experience. Your welfare and well-being remain important to us, and we will continue to advocate for the protection, safety, and welfare of Medical Laboratory Scientists wherever they practise.
The YMLSF National remains committed to promoting the interests, welfare, dignity, and professional development of young Medical Laboratory Scientists across Nigeria. We will continue to use our voice to advocate for safer workplaces and an environment where every Medical Laboratory Scientist can discharge their responsibilities without fear of violence or intimidation.
OUR MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC IS CLEAR: HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE NOT TARGETS. THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS DEDICATED TO SAVING LIVES AND DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED.
Let us all rise, speak out, and take meaningful action against violence in our hospitals. Let us demand accountability, promote mutual respect, and work together to ensure that every healthcare worker can return home safely after every shift.
PROTECT HEALTHCARE WORKERS. SAY NO TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE. DEMAND JUSTICE. MAKE OUR HOSPITALS SAFE FOR ALL.
An injury to one is a concern for all. An attack on one of us is a call for collective action to protect us all.
MLS Adeola-Oyekan Joshua
National President, YMLSF
For: National Executive Council (NEC)
Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF)
