Pate Urges UUTH Workers To End Strike After EFCC Apology

According to official correspondence dated May 14, 2026, and addressed to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, M. M. Bassey, the minister disclosed that senior EFCC officials met with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja and acknowledged that their operatives acted in error during the incident.

The EFCC delegation reportedly admitted that the operation, which triggered panic among hospital staff and patients, was mishandled and extended formal apologies to those affected through the ministry.

In response, Pate urged the hospital management to engage the striking health workers and persuade them to resume providing medical services without delay, stressing that restoring healthcare delivery was in the overriding public interest.

The industrial action followed reports that armed EFCC operatives entered the hospital premises during an enforcement exercise, prompting widespread fear and confusion. Medical workers alleged that some personnel were harassed, while patients and their relatives fled various sections of the facility.

The incident was said to have disrupted clinical activities, delayed treatment, and heightened tensions among members of staff.

To address broader concerns over repeated confrontations between security operatives and healthcare professionals, the minister announced the formation of a special committee to investigate the immediate and underlying causes of such incidents across hospitals nationwide.

The committee will include representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association, Joint Health Sector Unions, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, human rights advocates, the Committee of Chief Medical Directors, and senior ministry officials.

Pate said the panel would be inaugurated immediately and is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within two weeks, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.