It has been a tussle between the Nigerian doctors and laboratory scientists in Ibadan over a case of assaults on the part of the latter.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University College Hospital Branch, on Monday in Ibadan demanded justice from the hospital management in the case of assault of a resident doctor by a laboratory scientist.
The doctors made the call in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The statement was signed by Dr Luqman Ogunjimi and Dr Olusegun Olaopa, the association’s President and General Secretary respectively. It noted that it was not the first time a resident doctor would be assaulted by a laboratory scientist in the hospital.
“On Friday March 18, 2016, a laboratory scientist at the Heamatology Department of UCH reportedly assaulted a resident doctor of the same department.
“She was trying to retrieve from her a slide for a review for the treatment of a cancer patient,’’ the statement said.
It added that the matter was immediately brought to the attention of the head of the department, who quickly referred it to the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee.
“Accordingly, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, the CMAC, directed the Chief Security Officer of UCH to look into the matter.’’
The association warned that the issue should not be swept under the carpet as it was done in the past.
It added: “It is high time this aggression and undue violence against resident doctors and doctors in general at the UCH is fully addressed by management.’’
NAN reports that in 2014 the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) said allegation of harassment and assault by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) was unfounded.
“Medical laboratory scientists have always exercised restraint, show discipline and have approached the law courts for redress whenever they have are denied their rights.’’