The Epe Local Government has issued a strong warning to residents following rising cases of assaults on health workers over medical referrals.
Epe Insights reports that the Executive Chairman of Epe Local Government, Hon. Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, alongside the Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. Adeleke Awolesi, delivered the warning during a stakeholder engagement where they addressed what they described as a troubling and increasingly dangerous pattern targeting frontline healthcare workers.
Speaking with deep concern, Dr. Awolesi explained that referrals are made strictly in the interest of saving lives and not because of negligence or incompetence.
He emphasized that health workers make medical decisions based on professional assessment and the urgency of specialist intervention.
According to him, “Our health workers are not careless. When they refer, it is because the case requires specialist attention. It is a decision made to save lives. Anyone who assaults a health worker over this, going forward, will face the law.”
Epe Insights gathered that the Executive Chairman, visibly angered by recent incidents, declared that such behavior is not only unacceptable but also disheartening—especially in light of the substantial investments the Epe LG administration makes every month to support residents’ medical needs.
Princess Animashaun revealed that the local government spends millions of naira monthly to pay hospital bills at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for residents who cannot afford treatment. She condemned attacks on health workers who are simply performing their duties.
In her words, “Every month, I settle medical bills worth millions at FMC for our people. These are not my personal bills—they are for residents who need help. So why would anyone be referred there and then attack the health workers? It is completely wrong, and it must stop immediately.”
Dr. Awolesi recounted a recent emotional case involving a woman who had triplets and had to be referred to a teaching hospital due to the complexity of her condition.
He explained that the Chairman personally funded her care, ensuring all hospital bills were cleared and additional deposits were made to prevent interruptions in treatment.
He further revealed, “Even after the woman sadly passed away, the Chairman refused to abandon the children. She empowered the sister caring for the babies, secured a good-paying job for their father, and still supports the children every month.”
Adding credibility to the Chairman’s humanitarian efforts, the Head of Social Welfare at FMC, Mr. Ayanbisi, confirmed that Princess Animashaun keeps a dedicated folder for indigent patients to ensure continuous support.
He stated that FMC provides advanced medical services at highly affordable rates, far superior to what many general hospitals offer.
He noted, “She spends millions monthly to make sure no resident is denied treatment. FMC has upgraded facilities and innovations that many general hospitals don’t have, yet the bills remain affordable. Unfortunately, the people discouraging others from coming here have never visited—they spread misinformation from outside.”
The Chairman and MOH warned that the administration would no longer tolerate any form of harassment, intimidation, or physical assault against health workers. They stressed that medical professionals must be respected, as they serve the community at great personal risk.
They also appealed to residents to work closely with health personnel, trust their professional judgments, and understand that referrals are part of efforts to improve survival and outcomes.
The meeting ended with a unified call for peace, cooperation, and renewed appreciation for the essential services healthcare workers provide across Epe Local Government.
