The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has launched an investigation into a viral video that allegedly portrayed poor emergency response at the hospital. The video, which has sparked public criticism on social media, claimed that the hospital lacked essential medical supplies and equipment during an emergency situation.
The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Obadiah Gana, confirmed the development in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja. According to him, the investigation was ordered by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako.
“We have been made aware of an online video that negatively depicts our hospital,” Gana said. “In response, we have initiated a thorough investigation to uncover the facts surrounding this incident. The findings will be made public in due course.”
He assured the public that the hospital remains committed to providing quality healthcare and would not ignore any form of feedback from patients or the public.
Gana added that early findings from the investigation indicated that there were no shortages of critical medical items as claimed in the video. “The emergency department had an adequate supply of medical consumables, including gloves, resuscitation medications, and functional equipment. We also had enough trolleys and wheelchairs for patient transfers,” he said.
He noted that the hospital had begun engaging with staff who were on duty during the incident, as well as other stakeholders, to get a clear picture of what actually happened.
“We understand that this situation may have caused concern and distress, and for that, we sincerely apologise. Our hospital management values patient feedback and operates an open-door policy,” he stated.
According to the PRO, the hospital has set up several feedback channels for patients, including multiple phone numbers posted around the hospital, QR codes for easy access, and dedicated email addresses. “We also run a medical indigent fund to assist poor patients with their bills,” Gana explained.
He further pointed out that the hospital had a proven record of managing complex medical cases and had successfully treated many unconscious patients who were later reunited with their families through the help of in-house social workers.
“FMC Abuja is not just a general hospital; it is a centre for specialised treatments such as open-heart surgery, kidney transplants, laser surgery, spine operations, and many advanced procedures that are rare in most public hospitals in Nigeria,” Gana added.
He reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to delivering healthcare with empathy and compassion. “Our goal is to continue improving service delivery while maintaining the highest standards in medical care,” he said.
The viral video comes at a time when public hospitals across Nigeria face growing scrutiny over patient care, infrastructure, and emergency response. While some hospitals continue to make efforts to modernise their facilities and improve services, others struggle with underfunding and inadequate staffing.
FMC Abuja, located in the nation’s capital, is regarded as one of the better-equipped federal health institutions and is known for offering advanced medical services. The outcome of the ongoing investigation is expected to provide clarity and help restore public trust.
For now, hospital authorities are urging members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation process to conclude.
