The federal government has ordered a full investigation into a viral video that allegedly showed victims of a road accident being neglected at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja.
The disturbing video, which surfaced on social media over the weekend, captured scenes of visibly injured accident victims purportedly left unattended outside the hospital’s emergency unit.
According to the good Samaritan who transported the victims to the hospital, medical staff initially refused to provide care, allegedly citing a lack of gloves. In the footage, one of the severely injured victims was later seen being assisted into the emergency unit, while others with injuries were forced to walk unaided into the facility.
Reacting to the video, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has directed a thorough investigation.
In a statement released by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Obadiah Gana, the hospital confirmed that an internal probe had already begun. According to the statement, the preliminary findings suggest that the emergency department had sufficient medical supplies and equipment at the time of the incident.
“Our preliminary findings indicate that the emergency department had an adequate supply of medical consumables, including latex gloves, contrary to the claims made in the video. Resuscitation equipment, medications, trolleys, and wheelchairs were also available,“ the statement read.
The statement further noted that interactions with staff on duty and other stakeholders were ongoing as part of the fact-finding process.
“We apologize for any distress or discomfort caused and 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,” the hospital said.
The hospital management also emphasised that FMC Abuja operates an indigent fund to assist financially challenged patients and has successfully managed numerous emergency cases, including unconscious patients, with the help of social workers.
Highlighting its status as a hub for advanced medical procedures, including open-heart surgery, kidney transplants, laser and spine surgeries, the hospital reiterated its commitment to providing quality care with compassion.
