Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has launched an investigation into a viral video showing alleged neglect of accident victims at the Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed victims of a road accident reportedly left unattended by hospital staff after being brought in by a good Samaritan.
The good Samaritan, who recorded the footage, claimed he found the victims on the road and transported them to the hospital for urgent care.
He alleged that hospital staff refused to provide immediate assistance, with one citing a lack of gloves.
However, minutes later, as also seen in the video, some hospital staff were seen assisting in lifting one of the severely injured victims into the emergency unit.
Other victims, despite their injuries, were also seen leap-walking into the unit on their own.
In response, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Obadiah Gana, issued a statement on Sunday, confirming that the FMC has begun a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Preliminary findings, according to the hospital, indicate that the emergency department had an adequate supply of essential medical items, including gloves, resuscitation equipment, and medications.
The hospital also stated that there were no shortages of trolleys or wheelchairs and that interactions with on-duty staff and other stakeholders were ongoing.
Gana emphasized the hospital’s commitment to transparency and quality service, noting that FMC Abuja maintains multiple feedback channels—such as visible phone numbers, QR codes, and email contacts to engage with patients and the public.
“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,” the statement added.
He also highlighted the hospital’s capacity as a referral centre for advanced medical procedures, including open-heart surgery, kidney transplants, laser surgery, and spinal interventions—treatments not commonly available in many 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 service,” it noted.
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