Elegant Nurses Forum Demands Probe Into Deaths of Nurses at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital

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The Elegant Nurses Forum has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of two nurses undergoing speciality training at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, amid allegations of intimidation and coercion by the hospital management.

The Forum demanded an immediate end to attempts to compel nurses at the School of Post-Basic Psychiatry/Mental Health Nursing to sign undertakings, warning that no nurse should face victimisation for raising concerns about the deaths or demanding accountability.

In a press statement issued by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the Forum expressed concern over reports that the nurses were being pressured into signing the documents through the school authorities.

It described the allegations as troubling, particularly against the background of the deaths of two nurses at the institution within six months.

“The death of a colleague is not an administrative inconvenience, and grief must never be treated as misconduct. Where serious concerns are raised about the circumstances surrounding the loss of lives, the appropriate response is to investigate, establish the facts and address any shortcomings identified,” Olamide said.

The Forum called on the hospital management and school authorities to stop any coercive process and ensure that affected nurses were not subjected to academic punishment, professional discrimination or other reprisals for expressing legitimate concerns.

It also urged the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to intervene, investigate the allegations and ensure that the educational and professional interests of the nurses were protected.

The Forum noted that the council regulates nursing education and professional standards in Nigeria, adding that hospital management must respect its statutory responsibilities.

It further called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, labour organisations and public-interest lawyers to examine the allegations and provide appropriate support to the affected nurses.

On the deaths, the Forum said the circumstances surrounding the incidents must be established through impartial investigations rather than speculation.

It demanded the preservation of relevant records, including incident reports, duty rosters, and emergency response documents, to help investigators determine what happened.

The Forum also called for appropriate disciplinary or legal action against anyone found responsible for wrongdoing through a fair and lawful process.

“Our demand is simple: investigate the deaths, preserve the evidence, establish what happened and hold anyone found responsible accountable through a fair and lawful process. The families of the deceased nurses and their colleagues deserve answers,” Olamide said.

The organisation also raised concerns over reports that the hospital’s emergency unit lacked adequate equipment, essential medicines, consumables and other resources required for effective emergency care.

It called for an urgent assessment of the unit’s readiness, including its equipment, medicine supplies, staffing levels and emergency response procedures.

The Forum urged hospital management to address any identified deficiencies and establish mechanisms for healthcare workers to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.

“If these reported deficiencies are confirmed, they must be addressed without delay. Healthcare professionals cannot reasonably be expected to deliver safe and effective emergency care without the essential resources required to perform their duties,” Olamide said.

The Forum also urged the hospital management to respect nurses’ fundamental rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, particularly the provisions on human dignity, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly and association.

It said nurses should be able to raise workplace concerns and participate in lawful advocacy without intimidation or unlawful reprisals.

The organisation further called on relevant professional associations and labour unions to stand in solidarity with the affected nurses and engage the hospital management to resolve the concerns.

The Forum said it would pursue lawful advocacy, engagement with regulatory authorities and other legitimate measures until the allegations received appropriate attention.

It, however, stressed that its demands were not intended to prejudge the outcome of any investigation but to ensure that the facts were established and that any identified institutional shortcomings were addressed.

“The welfare of nurses and the safety of patients are not optional considerations. Institutions must create environments where healthcare workers can raise genuine concerns without fear and where allegations involving loss of life receive the seriousness they deserve,” Olamide said.

The Forum called on the hospital management to respond to the allegations through transparent procedures, meaningful dialogue and concrete measures to protect nurses and patients.