The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi-Abuja is in the spotlight after a viral video raised serious concerns over how an accident victim was treated at the hospital.
An online video which went viral over the weekend showed a man who said he acted as a good Samaritan to assist in ferrying an accident victim to FMC Abuja for emergency treatment but was left unattended for hours by the hospital staff.
In the video, the man was heard exchanging words with the nurses on duty who said they cannot evacuate the wounded patient from the vehicle due to lack hand gloves and other needed equipment.
The clip sparked outrage and led to swift action from the hospital’s leadership.
The management of the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi-Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory has said that eight of its staff are facing investigation over alleged poor treatment meted out to an accident victim.
It assured that the outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.
According to a statement released on Sunday and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Obadiah Gana, on behalf of the Medical Director, the hospital had completed a preliminary review. It also confirmed that the Minister of State has directed a full investigation of the incident which is ongoing.
Contrary to the video’s claims, the hospital insisted that the hospital’s emergency department had adequate supply of medical consumables, including latex gloves.
While giving an update on the incident on Monday, the Head of the Clinical Services Department, Dr. Kirbo Muftau said the hospital has placed eight of its staff under investigation to ascertain their culpability.
When asked the number of staff being investigated for negligence, Muftau said: “All the staff that were there on the day the accident victim was brought in to the emergency room, about eight of the them, doctors, nurses and attendants will face the investigation pane.”
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According to Muftau, the patient was treated and discharged on the day of the incident.
Muftau stated that the hospital takes feedback seriously and has a dedicated phone line where enquiries and complaints can be channeled for immediate response.
He added that contingency plans exist for emergency overloads. For instance, Muftau said that during the last petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Niger State, the FMC Abuja swung into action and went there with ambulance vehicles to rescue the victims.
On staff conduct, he said: the hospital is very sensitive to patients’ care and places high premium on service delivery.
He added: “For a hospital that wants to become world-class, we must be open to improvement. Although the hospital is maintaining high standards, there is room for improvement.”
Muftau also revealed ongoing plans to expand the emergency unit to accommodate more patients and hire additional medical staff.