Minister orders reform at Abuja hospital after viral neglect incident
The Federal Government has called for urgent reforms at the Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jabi, Abuja.
This decision followed a viral video that showed road accident victims allegedly left without attention, sparking nationwide anger and accusations of serious neglect.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, visited the hospital unannounced and expressed deep concerns over the situation.
Speaking to staff members, he stressed the importance of every action taken in emergency care.
“You are in the eye of the storm, responsible for saving lives. Even if you’ve done one million things right, one mistake is what the public will remember,” he said.
READ ALSO: FG probes Abuja hospital for rejecting accident victims
Before his visit, Salako had received a report from an investigation panel set up to look into the incident. Based on the findings, he ordered immediate improvements.
These included raising the number of casualty officers on each shift from two to at least four to improve emergency response time.
He also instructed that newly recruited health assistants be fully integrated into clinical duties without delay.
During his inspection, Salako observed that the emergency department lacked the necessary infrastructure to handle the volume of patients it receives daily.
“We have improved electricity and water supply, but these efforts must be complemented with continued investment focused on patient needs,” he explained.
He asked the hospital management to focus more on upgrading the facility.
Hospital staff members informed the minister that security issues had become more frequent in the emergency area.
The hospital relies on private security firms and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to manage access.
In response, Salako ordered the installation of better surveillance systems, noting that CCTV footage had played an important role in past investigations and should be standard in all emergency units.
Dr. Timothy Sama’ila, the Head of the Emergency Unit, acknowledged that the department faced many challenges.
He mentioned limited space, staff members’ shortages, and a rising number of patients as the main issues.
Despite their efforts, he said the unit was struggling to keep up.
Salako also announced that a nationwide emergency care training programme would soon begin.
“Its goal is to create consistent standards and strengthen emergency response in public hospitals.
“This is not just about FMC Abuja. It’s about building a system that works for Nigerians, especially in moments of crisis. Our people deserve emergency care that saves lives, not headlines of negligence,” he said.
The visit was a clear signal that the government is serious about improving emergency healthcare and making it more effective and reliable for all citizens.
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