The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has dismissed allegations contained in a viral video claiming that its Oncology Department operates in poor conditions and lacks adequate facilities, describing the claims as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Head of the Oncology Department, Dr. Oiza Ahmadu, said the unit remains fully functional, properly equipped, and capable of managing cancer cases efficiently.
The video, recorded by a patient undergoing treatment at the hospital, highlighted concerns over health workers’ welfare, inadequate infrastructure, and the overall environment for cancer care. While she praised the dedication of the medical team, she lamented what she described as difficult working conditions, irregular pay, and cramped spaces for both staff and patients.
The patient alleged that the oncology unit was no more than a “gateman’s room” accommodating up to eight people and claimed that, until recently, there was no designated chemotherapy ward, forcing porters to search for empty beds before treatment sessions. She further said patients were often left waiting in corridors—sometimes in the rain—due to limited space.
But Dr. Ahmadu refuted the claims, saying they misrepresented the true state of the facility. She explained that the centre operates a dedicated 12-bedded oncology ward and clarified that the area shown in the viral video was the outpatient clinic, which, despite space constraints, meets operational standards and has served patients effectively for four years.
She added that the hospital, which began as a staff clinic, was upgraded to a tertiary healthcare institution in 2012 to address the growing healthcare demands of the Federal Capital Territory. Since then, significant investments have been made to expand services, including consultants’ offices in a newly constructed clinical building and a dedicated oncology pharmacy—one of the few independently run oncology pharmacies in the region.
Dr. Ahmadu outlined the components of the oncology unit, which include an outpatient clinic, a 12-bedded ward, a navigation office, a palliative care unit nearing completion, and designated spaces for psychological support.
“For clarity, the consultation fee at our oncology clinic is N2,000, while the admission fee for a four-bedded room is N10,000 per day,” she said.
She emphasised that while the FMC acknowledges the challenges facing most public health institutions, particularly space and funding constraints, it remains committed to continuous improvement and to providing quality care for cancer patients.
Dr. Ahmadu reaffirmed the centre’s dedication to ensuring the welfare of patients and staff, and urged the public to seek verified information rather than rely on misleading online videos.
