Maitama Hospital: FCTA launches investigation into viral video
…says appropriate sanctions will be meted to defaulting staff
By Taofeek Lawal, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has commenced a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the truth about a viral video on the social media, purporting that an accident victim was rejected by Maitama District Hospital.
On Monday, a short video produced in hausa language went viral on the social media suggesting that an accident victim was brought to the emergency unit of the hospital but was rejected.
Reacting to the said video, the Acting Secretary, FCTA Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Dr. Muhammed Kawu said investigation over the video was to ensure that no staff jeopardises the efforts of the administration towards unblemished health services delivery.
The HHSS boss was in the hospital to see the accident victim, identified as George Imohimi, a resident of Mpape.
Imohimi, currently on admission in the hospital and is fast recuperating. However, Kawu has vowed that any staff found to have exhibited any form of negligence over the matter will be sanctioned in accordance with Civil Service rules.
He emphasised the commitment of the FCTA towards efficient healthcare service delivery saying all public hospitals in the territory are bound to accept and treat accident victims before any other protocols.
Kawu said, FCTA is very concerned and the Minister has directed that I come here personally and observe the situation and also ensure that it is brought under control. Investigation is ongoing, we have seen the video and we are investigating further. The Administration wants to assure all Nigerians, particularly FCT residents, that all public facilities are for the public. Every person has the right to go to any of these hospitals and must be attended to . This has been the policy and will continue to be so. The policy is that you take in accident victims and treat them before you look for police. We will let the public know what the issue is all about after the investigation. But now the patient is getting adequate attention. Any public servant that is found to have erred will be dealt according to civil service rules.”
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Imuentinyan Igbinovia, said that victim was actually taken into the emergency unit for proper attention, as against the message conveyed by the viral video.
The CMD however said that the lady who brought the accident victim had expressed discontent over the delay in admiting the victim, but after explaining the situation to her, the disagreements with the emergency unit staff was resolved.
Igbinovia further clarified that despite the great influx of patients into the hospital on a regular basis, the hospital management has remained committed to excellent health care services to all residents.
He added that Imohimi is receiving the best medical treatment obtainable in the hospital recuperating very well.
“It was on Monday around 8am about an hour prior then some accident victims were rushed in and staff were seeing them and I joined them. About 30 minutes later another accident victim was rushed in and the staff also went to attend to the second set of victims. Unfortunately there was ultercation between those that rushed the victims and the accident emergency staff, I was able to calm down the situation and also spoke to the lady who brought in the accident victim. Immediately after, a stretcher was brought and the victim was taken into the emergency unit. After the victim was admitted and stabilised, I spoke with the Police Divisional Officer who was also around. The lady who brought in the victim thought that our responses would have been faster and I explained the situation to her. To the best of our knowledge the matter has been settled. The victim is in the ward now receiving treatment and is getting better. To our surprise, we saw the social media messages which we have taken in good faith. I want to assure the public that Maitama Hospital is poised to take care of patients and from what you can see, there is a very large crowd that come here every day,” the CMD stated.
