The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, is set to undergo an overhaul of its emergency services after Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, condemned conditions at the facility during an unannounced inspection.
Dr Salako issued the directive on Sunday following public outrage over a viral video purportedly showing accident victims being denied prompt medical attention. The footage sparked allegations of negligence and led to an official investigation.
During his inspection, Dr Salako said he had reviewed the findings of the investigative panel and decided immediate reforms were necessary to restore public confidence.
“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 told emergency staff.
He ordered the number of casualty officers per shift to be doubled from two to at least four, with immediate effect, to reduce delays in patient care. He further directed the integration of newly recruited health assistants into clinical duties to boost capacity.
Dr Salako expressed concern about infrastructural deficiencies, citing overcrowding, inadequate space, and insufficient staff as key obstacles to effective care. However, he noted improvements in water and electricity supply within the hospital in recent months.
The Minister also stressed the importance of surveillance, highlighting that CCTV footage had proved valuable in previous investigations into lapses in care.
In response, the Head of the Emergency Unit, Dr Timothy Sama’ila, acknowledged the shortcomings, admitting: “We are facing overcrowding, limited space, and staff shortages. These are serious challenges.”
Hospital authorities said they were working with private security firms and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to regulate entry into the emergency department and ensure the safety of patients and staff.
Dr Salako revealed plans for a nationwide emergency care training programme aimed at raising standards and strengthening public hospital emergency response across Nigeria.
