ATBUTH Arrests Impostor For Defrauding Patients

Warns against giving bribes for jobs

The SERVICOM Unit of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, has arrested an impostor who has been swindling patients and their relatives within the hospital premises.

The suspect, an elderly man, was apprehended during a routine night surveillance operation after extorting N45,000 from relatives of a patient who was receiving treatment for a gunshot injury.

SERVICOM investigations revealed that the impostor falsely demanded N5,000 for a hospital smart card and N40,000 for purchase of drugs.

The ATBUTH management disclosed that the official cost of the hospital smart card is N1,000, while the cost of the prescribed drugs amounted to only N18,150.

The excess of N27,000 collected by the suspect was recovered from him and has since been handed over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Professor Yusuf Jibrin Bara, commended the SERVICOM team for their vigilance and professionalism.

He warned impostors and fraudsters, reminding them that the hospital management has zero tolerance for extortion, impersonation, and other sharp practices.

Prof. Bara also urged patients and members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious individuals or demands for unofficial payments to SERVICOM desks or other appropriate hospital authorities.

He assured that the management would continue to strengthen surveillance measures to safeguard patients and promote transparency within the hospital.

In a related development, the management of ATBUTH has raised an alarm over reports of fraudsters impersonating hospital officials to collect money from unsuspecting individuals under the guise of offering employment or facilitating appointments.

A statement on Wednesday by the Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Usman Abdullahi Koli, emphasised that no staff member or individual is authorised to collect money, gifts, or any form of inducement for employment or appointment into the institution.

The statement instructed anyone who may have paid money or offered inducements to report the matter immediately to the Unit with relevant details.

It warned that failure to do so could result in legal consequences, vowing that the hospital would not hesitate to take action against perpetrators and their collaborators.

ATBUTH reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, transparency and the protection of patients and the public from fraud and exploitation.