FMC Abuja break silence on viral negligence video, launches internal investigation

The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja has reacted to a viral video alleging the neglect of an accident victim at its facility, stating that preliminary findings indicate that emergency supplies and equipment were available at the time of the incident.

Addressing journalists during a briefing with the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Abuja, the Head of Clinical Services at FMC Abuja, Dr. Bioku Muftau, disclosed that an internal committee has been constituted to thoroughly investigate the matter, which occurred on June 6, 2025.

According to Dr. Muftau, the video aimed to portray the hospital negatively, but logistics records and emergency stock levels did not support such claims. “The hospital has adequate gloves, IV fluids, cannulas, dressing packs, patient monitors, wheelchairs, and stretchers to manage emergencies,” he stated.

The viral clip, which made rounds on social media, drew widespread criticism and reignited conversations about emergency healthcare standards in Nigeria’s public hospitals.

Reacting to the incident, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Salako, directed that a detailed investigation be conducted to establish the facts. Dr. Muftau confirmed that eight staff members on duty at the time — comprising four doctors, two nurses, and two health attendants — are currently under investigation.

While acknowledging that staff attitudes in emergency care situations can be improved, Dr. Muftau emphasized that FMC Abuja has systems for handling complaints and feedback, including QR codes, dedicated helplines, emails, and WhatsApp groups for real-time issue resolution.

He also revealed that new recruits at the hospital undergo orientation and professional ethics training, with another session scheduled for the next two weeks. Dr. Muftau stressed that the facility has never rejected any emergency cases and routinely attends to accident victims, even treating unidentified or unconscious patients at the hospital’s expense.

Highlighting the institution’s services, he noted that FMC Abuja offers routine open-heart surgeries, kidney and prostate laser surgeries, spinal corrections, and joint replacements, among others, with a growing monthly patient volume now exceeding 30,000.

The hospital’s management reaffirmed its commitment to world-class healthcare delivery and pledged to transparently conclude the investigation, with its findings to be made public once completed.