The Federal Government has directed immediate reforms at the Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, following widespread outrage over reports of delayed treatment of accident victims at the facility.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, issued the directive on Sunday during an unscheduled visit to the hospital, stating that “one mistake can erase one million right actions.”
Naija News understands that the minister’s visit was triggered by a viral video showing victims of a road accident allegedly left unattended at the emergency department.
The viral clip sparked public anger, leading to accusations of gross negligence and prompting the government to set up an investigative panel to probe the circumstances.
Salako confirmed that he had received the panel’s findings prior to his visit, noting that swift measures 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 the staff during his interaction with frontline health workers.
Salako ordered the immediate increase of casualty officers per shift from two to at least four, citing the need to boost emergency response time and reduce waiting periods. He also directed the full integration of newly recruited health assistants into clinical operations without delay.
During his tour of the facility, the minister identified critical infrastructure deficiencies, describing the state of the emergency unit as “inadequate for the volume of emergencies it handles daily.”
“We have improved electricity and water supply, but these efforts must be complemented with continued investment focused on patient needs,” he said, while urging management to prioritise ongoing upgrades.
Hospital officials confirmed to the minister that the emergency area has witnessed increasing security breaches in recent months.
They said the facility currently works with private security firms and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to control access to sensitive areas.
Salako, however, insisted on the installation of enhanced surveillance systems, adding that CCTV footage has been vital in previous investigations and should be a standard requirement for all emergency units.
Responding to the minister’s queries, Head of the Emergency Unit, Dr. Timothy Sama’ila, admitted the unit faces several constraints, including space shortages, overwhelming patient loads, and insufficient staffing.
He noted that while personnel are doing their best under the circumstances, the increasing number of emergency cases has stretched the unit beyond capacity.
Naija News reports that Salako also announced that the Federal Government would soon roll out a nationwide emergency care training programme, aimed at standardising protocols and improving response capacity across government 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 added.
The visit underscored the government’s renewed commitment to ensuring accessible, prompt, and quality healthcare delivery, especially in life-threatening emergencies.
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