The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, in Taraba State, has denied allegations of medical neglect made by the family of a road accident victim, Khadija Babatatu, insisting that she received timely treatment before her relatives assaulted a nurse on duty.
The hospital’s response was contained in an investigative report released over the weekend by the head of its SERVICOM Unit, Dr Aboki Philip, a copy of which was obtained by The Guardian in Jalingo.
According to Dr Philip, the investigation followed a petition claiming that the hospital left the patient unattended for more than three hours.
However, findings revealed that Babatatu arrived at the Accident and Emergency Unit at about 2:50 p.m. on September 5, 2025, and was immediately enrolled under the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).
The report noted that medical personnel promptly conducted vital signs assessment, triaging, prescriptions, and nursing care, administering all available medications by 3:18 p.m. Relatives were subsequently asked to procure additional drugs that were not available in the hospital’s pharmacy at the time.
While a nursing officer briefly attended to another emergency, one of Babatatu’s relatives allegedly became agitated, demanding that the nurse remain by the patient’s side.
Despite attempts to calm him, the relative, according to the hospital, reportedly turned violent and assaulted the nurse, prompting security personnel and the SERVICOM Desk Officer to alert a police officer attached to the facility.
“The relatives fled the premises with the patient upon learning that law enforcement had been called, later alleging that they had waited for hours without treatment — a claim that is false and misleading,” the report stated.
The SERVICOM investigation concluded that Babatatu “received timely, appropriate, and professional care,” describing the assault on the nurse as “unwarranted, unacceptable, and disruptive to clinical operations.”
The unit also commended the assaulted nurse for demonstrating “exceptional emotional intelligence, composure, and professionalism” during the incident.
Reacting to the report, the Head of Clinical Services at FMC Jalingo, Dr Suleiman Kirim, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to upholding high medical and ethical standards.
“FMC Jalingo remains fully committed to maintaining professional standards, safeguarding our staff, and saving lives. No form of violence against healthcare workers will be tolerated,” Dr Kirim said.
He appealed to the public to cooperate with health workers, especially during emergencies when swift clinical decisions are required to save lives.
