The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, has denied allegations of medical neglect involving a road accident victim, Khadija Babatatu, insisting that she received prompt and professional attention upon arrival at the facility.
The clarification was contained in an investigative report released by the hospital’s Head of SERVICOM Unit, Dr. Aboki Philip, on Saturday. A copy of the report was made available to newsmen in Jalingo.
Dr. Aboki refuted claims by the victim’s relatives that hospital staff abandoned Babatatu for over three hours before attending to her.
According to the report, the patient was brought to the Accident and Emergency Unit of FMC Jalingo at about 2:50 p.m. on September 5, 2025, and was immediately registered under the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).
“Medical personnel promptly carried out vital signs assessment, prescriptions, and nursing care, administering all available medications by 3:18 p.m.,” Aboki said.
He explained that the patient’s relatives were asked to purchase additional medications not readily available at the hospital. While waiting for the drugs, a nurse briefly stepped away to attend to another emergency case.
“One of the relatives became agitated and demanded that the nurse remain by the patient’s side. Despite efforts to calm him, he became hostile and eventually assaulted the nurse,” the report stated.
Following the assault, hospital security and the SERVICOM desk officer alerted the armed police officer attached to the Security and Intelligence Bureau. However, the relatives reportedly fled the premises with the patient before law enforcement arrived, later claiming that they had waited for hours without receiving treatment — an allegation the hospital described as “false and misleading.”
Aboki said the investigation confirmed that the patient was given timely and appropriate medical care, describing the attack on the nurse as unwarranted, unacceptable, and disruptive to hospital operations.
He commended the assaulted nurse for exhibiting “exceptional emotional intelligence, composure, and professionalism” throughout the incident.
Reacting to the findings, Dr. Suleiman Kirim, Head of Clinical Services at FMC Jalingo, reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of medical ethics and patient care.
“FMC Jalingo remains fully committed to upholding professional standards, safeguarding our staff, and saving lives. No form of violence against healthcare workers will be tolerated,” Kirim said.
He urged members of the public to cooperate with healthcare providers, particularly during emergencies when swift medical decisions are critical to saving lives.
