By Nabilu Balarabe
Damaturu, Dec. 19, 2025 (NAN) – In a forceful public address, Dr. Muhammad Gana, Yobe State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, has condemned the escalating and “deeply troubling” wave of violent attacks against health workers across the state, warning that such actions threaten the very foundation of the public health system.
Speaking at a news conference in Damaturu on Friday, Gana described a spectrum of assaults—ranging from physical violence and threats to verbal abuse, intimidation, and harassment—as completely unacceptable. He framed the issue not merely as a law-and-order problem, but as a critical public health emergency with dire consequences for community well-being.
“Healthcare workers—doctors, nurses, midwives, community health extension workers, laboratory scientists, attendants, and all support personnel—are the indispensable backbone of our health system,” Gana stated. “They serve under profoundly challenging conditions: often with scarce resources, working long hours under high emotional pressure, yet their commitment to saving lives and alleviating suffering remains unwavering.”
The Commissioner provided crucial context, noting that these attacks frequently occur during moments of high stress—in emergency rooms, during periods of patient grief, or amid the heightened emotions surrounding critical care. While he acknowledged that health workers, being human, can sometimes show intolerance due to immense work pressures, he was unequivocal: “It is never justifiable for anyone to take the law into their own hands. There are established channels for redress. Any perceived misconduct should be reported to the appropriate hospital management or regulatory authorities, not met with violence.”
Gana elaborated on the devastating ripple effects of such violence, which extend far beyond the immediate victim. “When a health worker is attacked, we all suffer,” he explained. “It leads to professional burnout, cripplingly low morale, and can result in a withdrawal of essential services or a decline in their quality. This directly undermines our collective efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, reduce maternal and child mortality, and build a health system resilient enough to handle outbreaks and disasters.”
To address public frustrations that sometimes fuel these conflicts, the Commissioner announced concrete policy directives. “We have issued a clear order to all health facilities: they must accept emergency cases at all times and are responsible for arranging the next level of care, including transportation, when necessary. These measures are part of our unwavering commitment to a patient-centred approach, ensuring that systemic bottlenecks do not escalate into violent confrontations.”
The briefing, he concluded, served as both a public education campaign and a stark warning. Protecting health workers is not a special privilege but a fundamental prerequisite for safeguarding the health of every citizen in Yobe State. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NB/AMM
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru
