By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, has refuted allegations of medical neglect made by relatives of a road accident victim, Khadija Babatatu, insisting that she received prompt medical attention before her family members turned violent and assaulted a nurse on duty.
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 obtained by our correspondent in Jalingo.
According to Dr Aboki, the investigation followed a petition accusing the hospital of keeping the patient unattended for over three hours.
The report stated that Babatatu was brought to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital at about 2:50 p.m. on September 5, 2025, and was immediately enrolled under the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).
Medical personnel promptly carried out vital signs assessment, triaging, prescriptions, and nursing care, administering all available medications by 3:18 p.m.
The SERVICOM report explained that the patient’s relatives were asked to purchase additional medications that were not readily available at the facility. While awaiting the items, a nursing officer 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 repeated attempts by the nurse to calm him, the relative became hostile and eventually assaulted the nurse, prompting hospital security and the SERVICOM Desk Officer to alert the armed police officer attached to the Security and Intelligence Bureau.
The relatives reportedly fled the premises with the patient upon learning that law enforcement had been invited, later alleging that they had waited for hours without treatment—an assertion that is false and misleading,” the report stated.
The investigation concluded that the patient received timely, appropriate, and professional care, describing the assault on the hospital staff as “unwarranted, unacceptable, and disruptive to clinical operations.”
The SERVICOM Unit also commended the assaulted nurse for demonstrating “exceptional emotional intelligence, composure, and professionalism” during the confrontation.
Reacting to the development, the Head of Clinical Services at FMC Jalingo, Dr. Suleiman Kirim, reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to maintaining high medical and ethical standards.
“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,” he said.
Dr Kirim urged members of the public to cooperate with healthcare workers, especially during emergencies when swift clinical decisions are required to save lives.
