RismadarVoice Reporters
January 6, 2026
Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has suspended a medical doctor at the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), Dr. Mark (surname withheld), over allegations that he assaulted a nurse, Mrs. Kuku Destiny, while on duty at the hospital.
Dr. Onojaeme disclosed this to journalists in Asaba, stating that the suspension would last for one month to allow a panel set up by the hospital management to thoroughly investigate the incident.
According to the Commissioner, the decision followed a briefing from the Chief Medical Director of the hospital.
“The Chief Medical Director briefed me about the incident, and I immediately instructed her to set up an internal panel to look into the matter.
“The doctor in question has been suspended without pay for one month, pending the outcome of the investigation,” Onojaeme said.
The alleged assault came to public attention after a video circulated on social media in which the nurse accused the doctor of physically attacking her during working hours.
In the video, Mrs. Kuku was seen applying a towel to a swollen part of her head while recounting the incident. She alleged that the altercation stemmed from a patient’s folder that was taken to the doctor’s office after official closing time.
According to her account, the doctor allegedly confronted her angrily, verbally abused her and later struck her with a jotter and a plastic chair, before colleagues intervened to prevent further escalation.
She said she subsequently reported the incident to her Head of Department and applied ice to reduce the swelling.
Efforts to obtain Dr. Mark’s response were unsuccessful, as a text message sent to his mobile phone requesting his account of the incident had not been replied to as of Sunday evening.
When contacted by telephone on Sunday, the nurse declined further comment, explaining that her lawyer had advised her not to speak to the media at this stage.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of Asaba Specialist Hospital, Dr. Peace Ighosewe, declined to comment on the matter when contacted by phone, but assured that an official statement would be issued.
“The hospital will make a statement on the issue very soon. When we do, you will be able to get all the information you want,” she said.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the incident. A medical doctor in the employ of the state government, who spoke to Vanguard in Warri on condition of anonymity, described the situation as unfortunate.
“This is something a simple apology could have resolved. I heard about the incident, though I don’t know exactly what transpired. If truly there was an assault, it is regrettable,” the doctor said.
Some nurses in government hospitals, who also spoke off camera, expressed concern over what they described as recurring humiliation of nurses by some medical doctors.
“They act as if they are more important than every other health worker. Many nurses are also degree holders, some even with higher qualifications.
“The Commissioner for Health should use this opportunity to address the repeated mistreatment of nurses in hospitals. We hope he will not be sentimental, even though he is also a medical doctor,” they said.
The investigation panel is expected to submit its findings at the end of the suspension period.
