FG Probes Alleged Neglect Of Accident Victims At FMC Abuja

The federal government has launched a comprehensive investigation into a viral online video showing alleged neglect of accident victims at the Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja. The video captured hospital staff refusing to treat patients, citing a lack of medical supplies such as latex gloves, resuscitation equipment, and patient transfer equipment.

However, the government has disputed these claims, stating that initial findings confirm the hospital’s emergency department was adequately equipped with the supplies mentioned in the video.

In response to the public outcry, the hospital has begun engaging with the staff on duty and relevant stakeholders to establish the facts of the incident. The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Obadiah Gana, issued a statement on Sunday, noting that the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has ordered a thorough investigation, with findings to be shared publicly.

The statement read:

“We have been made aware of an online video that negatively depicts our hospital. In response, we have initiated a thorough investigation to uncover the facts surrounding this incident. Our preliminary findings indicate the following:

“The emergency department had an adequate supply of medical consumables, including latex gloves, contrary to the claims made in the video.

“Resuscitation equipment and medications were sufficient. There was no shortage of patient transfer equipment, including trolleys and wheelchairs.”

“The Hon. Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako has directed a full investigation of the incident which is ongoing. Findings of the investigation will be made available to the public.

“The management is committed to providing a full report of our investigation once it is completed. The Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, prides itself on its open-door policy. We have multiple patient feedback channels available, including several phone numbers displayed throughout the hospital, QR codes, and email contacts.

“In addition to running a medical indigent fund to assist underprivileged patients with hospital bills, we have successfully treated numerous unconscious patients and safely returned them to their relatives with the help of our social workers.

“Our facility is a hub for specialized procedures such as open-heart surgery, laser surgery, kidney transplants, spine surgery, and other high-end treatments that are not commonly available in most public hospitals.

“We apologize for any distress or discomfort caused and want to assure you that we take feedback seriously. We value the trust placed in us and are committed to providing quality care with empathy and compassion. We appreciate the feedback and will work towards improving the quality of our services.”