FMC Probes Staff Over Alleged Neglect of Accident Victims

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja has launched an investigation into the alleged negligence of eight healthcare workers, including four Doctors, two Nurses, and two hospital Attendants, following a viral video that showed road accident victims being left unattended at the hospital’s emergency unit.

The hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Bioku Muftau, confirmed that the staff members involved are currently under investigation for possible dereliction of duty. He assured that disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found culpable. “All the staff who were there on that particular day are going to be investigated… for now, they are four doctors, two nurses, two health assistants,” he stated.

The controversy began with a video posted on social media, where a good Samaritan accused hospital staff of refusing to treat the injured individuals he had transported from the scene of a roadside accident. In the clip, one staff member allegedly cited a shortage of gloves as the reason for not promptly attending to the victims.

Dr. Muftau clarified that the accident victims seen in the video, including one with a head injury, have since received treatment and were discharged on the same day. He refuted claims that the hospital was overwhelmed at the time of the incident, highlighting the hospital’s staffing capacity, including over 100 consultants in various specialties.

The Nigerian Government has become involved, with the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, ordering a comprehensive investigation into the matter. Dr. Muftau assured the public that the findings of the investigation will be made public upon its conclusion.