No Extortion At Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo – Management

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, Taraba State, has dismissed allegations of extortion in its operations.

The management said its service pack system aligned with globally accepted standards for safe, efficient, and accountable healthcare delivery.

It reacted to a social media publication, which accused the hospital of imposing unethical charges on patients.

In a press release signed by Dr Aisha Shehu Adamu-led management, as confirmed by the public relations officer of the hospital, clarified that structured, service-based consumable packs, such as admission packs, dressing packs, delivery kits and procedure specific bundles are standard practice in modern healthcare systems.

The statement noted that, the approach is not peculiar to FMC Jalingo, but is widely used in leading tertiary health institutions across Nigeria and the world.

“The management of FMC Jalingo has carefully reviewed recent social media commentary alleging extortion and unethical charges.

“We wish to state clearly that the use of structured service-based consumable packs is a globally recognised best practice.

“It is important to emphasise that issues relating to clinical systems require proper understanding and engagement. Resorting to unverified conclusions may create unnecessary anxiety and erode confidence in essential health services,” the statement said.

The management stressed that its response was necessary to provide clarity, uphold professional standards, and sustain public confidence in the healthcare system.

According to the management, service packs are introduced to promote standardisation, efficiency, safety, and accountability.

“The system ensures that all necessary consumables for specific procedures are readily available, thereby eliminating delays and reducing the risk of omitting critical items, especially in emergencies.”

It further explained that, the system eases the burden on patients’ relatives, who would otherwise have to source medical items under urgent and often stressful conditions.

On infection prevention, the hospital said the packs are sterile, sealed, and designed for single use, significantly reducing the risk of contamination and supporting strict aseptic practices.

“In the face of infectious disease outbreaks such as Lassa fever, the importance of sterile and controlled consumables cannot be overstated. Service packs serve as a critical safeguard for both patients and healthcare workers,” the statement noted.

It maintained that the system enhances transparency and accountability by providing clear expectations of required consumables, reducing fragmented billing, minimising wastage, and strengthening internal audit mechanisms.

The hospital added that, the structured approach improves inventory management, prevents stock-outs and overstocking, and ensures consistency in care delivery across departments.

Addressing concerns over charges for certain procedures, the management explained that services such as catheter insertion, nasogastric tube placement, and assisted feeding require skilled personnel, sterile materials and strict adherence to medical protocols.

“The charges reflect the actual cost of delivering these services within a resource constrained healthcare system and should not be misconstrued as arbitrary,” the management stated.

It further explained that admission packs are designed to guarantee immediate access to essential consumables, maintain hygiene standards, and ensure continuity of care without delay.

The statement therefore acknowledged the economic challenges faced by patients and assured that the pricing and composition of service packs are under continuous review to ensure fairness and alignment with its mandate of providing accessible healthcare.

It warned against misinformation on sensitive health issues, noting that such narratives could discourage patients from seeking medical attention and undermine trust in public health institutions.