Minister orders overhaul at FMC Abuja after viral emergency neglect video

By Kunle Sanni –

Following public outrage over a viral video showing alleged neglect of an accident victim, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, paid an unscheduled visit to the emergency unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, on Saturday, July 13.

The visit came shortly after an investigative panel set up by the Ministry submitted its findings on the incident, which captured a good Samaritan bringing an injured victim to the hospital, only to be met with apparent indifference from medical staff.

During the inspection, Dr. Salako interacted with key medical personnel, including the Chief Medical Director and Head of Emergency Services, to assess the facility’s infrastructure, staff readiness, and emergency response systems.

“You are in the eye of the storm, being responsible for saving lives,” the Minister told staff. “One mistake can overshadow a million successes. Consistency in prompt and quality care is essential.”

Dr. Timothy Sama’ila, Head of Emergency and a consultant neurosurgeon, briefed the Minister on existing challenges, including overcrowding, limited staffing, and rising patient numbers. He noted that some corrective measures had already been initiated following the incident.

Dr. Salako, however, called for immediate and sustained reforms. He directed the hospital to implement the panel’s recommendations, including increasing casualty officers on each shift from two to at least four and integrating newly recruited health assistants to support clinical teams.

He also ordered upgrades to parts of the emergency unit, particularly its layout and organization, to enhance efficiency in patient management. He acknowledged improvements in water and electricity supply but emphasized that infrastructure upgrades must be continuous and responsive.

The Minister further reviewed the hospital’s security measures and was briefed on collaborations with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and private guards. He stressed the importance of installing CCTV systems to improve transparency and support future investigations.