The Kano State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Amina Abdullahi HOD, has challenged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kano to proceed with its proposed strike after she was accused of assaulting a female doctor at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
In a phone interview on Monday, Abdullahi refuted the allegations of insulting the doctor, following the NMA’s call for her dismissal.
READ ALSO: Kano: NMA issues 48-hour ultimatum over commissioner’s assault on doctor
The association had issued an ultimatum to the Kano State Government, urging immediate action against the commissioner. The NMA threatened to suspend services within 48 hours unless their demands were met, citing the importance of a safe work environment for healthcare providers.
“Our decision to suspend services is difficult but necessary,” stated Dr. Abdurrahman Ali, the Kano NMA Chairman. “Healthcare professionals should not have to work in fear. This action calls on both the government and the public to recognize the daily challenges we face in delivering care.”
In response, Abdullahi dismissed the threat, asserting, “Let them embark on strike now! They are not the ones that appointed me. My office is the humanitarian office.”
Abdullahi recounted the events that led to the confrontation, accusing the health worker of negligence. She explained that she had rushed to the hospital after being notified by a patient’s relative that a nurse was refusing to attend to the patient, who was reportedly fainting.
“I greeted her, but she didn’t respond,” Abdullahi said, describing the scene. “I greeted her twice but she didn’t respond. Then the third time I said, Nurse, what is going on here? Then she looked at me up and down, folded her arms on her chest, went to her office, and banged the door. I went to my car provoked and stranded.”
Denying any direct confrontation, Abdullahi said she attempted to escalate the issue by calling both the Commissioner for Health and the Secretary to the State Government, but received no response.
“I called the Commissioner for Health five times; he didn’t respond. I called the SSG, but he didn’t respond to my call,” she stated.
The commissioner added that after further consultation, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Security Officer acknowledged the doctor’s alleged misconduct. Abdullahi instructed them to file a report, recommending appropriate sanctions.
The incident has intensified tensions between the Kano State Government and the medical community, as both sides await the government’s response to the NMA’s demands.
