The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, has directed striking workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, to suspend their industrial action and resume duties.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the directive followed the controversy surrounding a recent operation by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the hospital.
Pate issued the directive in a letter dated May 14, 2026, addressed to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. M.M. Bassey.
The minister said senior EFCC officials had met with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and admitted that “a mistake was made” during the incident.
“This is to inform you that today, we received senior officials of the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, who acknowledged that a mistake was made leading to the unfortunate incident that occurred at your hospital.
“The EFCC officials tendered apologies to the affected staff and patients of the teaching hospital through the Federal Ministry of Health,” the letter read.
Pate urged the hospital management to appeal to the workers to return to work in the public interest.
“With these steps, I call on you to advocate to striking health workers to immediately suspend their strike and resume provision of health services in the overall public interest,” he stated.
Strike Followed Hospital Operation
The controversy followed reports that armed EFCC operatives stormed the hospital on Tuesday during an enforcement operation, causing panic within the facility.
Hospital workers and medical associations alleged that some health personnel were harassed, while patients and relatives fled as security operatives moved through parts of the hospital premises.
The incident reportedly disrupted clinical activities, delayed medical services and heightened tension among workers.
Pate also announced the constitution of a ministerial committee to investigate recurring incidents involving security personnel and healthcare workers in hospitals across the country.
He said the committee would include representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Unions, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, human rights advocates, the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and senior officials of the ministry.
“Considering some other incidents where security personnel have harassed medical and health workers in hospitals, I have today constituted a ministerial committee comprising senior leaders to investigate the immediate and remote causes of these incidents and provide recommendations for the prevention of such incidents in the future,” he said.
The minister added that the committee would be inaugurated immediately and submit its report within two weeks.