Nigerian government orders probe into alleged neglect of accident victims at federal medical centre Abuja
The Nigerian government has launched an investigation into a viral video showing alleged neglect of accident victims at the Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that a widely circulated video on social media, captured victims of a road accident reportedly left unattended by hospital personnel after being brought in by a good Samaritan.
The footage of the video showed, the individual who transported the victims to the hospital alleged that staff refused to provide immediate medical care, with one reportedly citing a lack of gloves.
Penpushing further reports in the video some staff were assisting one of the severely injured victims into the emergency ward, while other victims made their way in unaided, a development which sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing outrage and accusing tertiary hospitals of a pattern of medical negligence.
The hospital spokesperson, Obadiah Gana in reaction to the public outcry issued a statement confirming that an internal investigation is underway explaining that preliminary findings showed that the emergency department had an adequate supply of gloves, resuscitation equipment, medications, trolleys, and wheelchairs at the time of the incident.
Penpushing also reports that the statement added that interactions with on-duty staff and other relevant stakeholders are ongoing, stressing that the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Kunle Salako has directed a full investigation of the incident which is ongoing.
The hospital spokesperson in the statement assured that findings of the investigation will be made available to the public, pointing out that the hospital management is committed to providing a full report of the investigation once it is completed.
Penpushing reports that the statement reiterated the hospital’s commitment to transparency and patient care, noting that the facility operates an open-door policy and maintains multiple feedback channels, including telephone hotlines, QR codes, and email contacts prominently displayed throughout the hospital.
The hospital image maker highlighted the hospital’s role as a referral centre for advanced procedures such as open-heart surgeries, kidney transplants, laser surgeries, and spinal interventions—services rarely available in public hospitals across the country.
“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. We apologise for any distress or discomfort caused and want to assure you that we take feedback seriously’, Gana wrote
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