By John Moses
Health professionals and civil society leaders are urging immediate reform of Nigeria’s emergency healthcare delivery, following a viral video alleging staff negligence at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja.
The footage, which has ignited debate across social platforms, reportedly shows hospital personnel reluctant to assist an accident victim due to a claimed shortage of gloves and manpower. The patient, visibly in distress, was allegedly left unaided as staff hesitated to provide care.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, has intervened, ordering an internal investigation. While the hospital’s management maintains that the necessary medical equipment and supplies were available during the incident, it pledged to conduct a full inquiry and release the findings publicly.
“This is not merely about gloves,” said Mohammed Usman, founder of the Lafiya Wealth Initiative. “It’s about the readiness of staff to act swiftly in critical moments that determine life or death.”
Usman and other health advocates are calling for systemic changes, including national emergency protocols, stronger monitoring, and enhanced training in ethical care practices. Some have also advocated for an independent review of the incident, saying that institutional self-assessments risk downplaying critical failures.
Dr Aisha Lawal, a health policy analyst, criticised what she described as the gap between policy and practice, highlighting the yet-to-be-fully-operational National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). “It’s time we hold institutions accountable. A functioning emergency response must be more than just a name on paper,” she said.
Dr Jubril Ismail, Chair of NEMSAS, acknowledged recent progress but admitted that gaps in coordination and implementation persist. Experts agree that while Nigeria has made strides in emergency preparedness, more robust mechanisms are needed to ensure rapid, reliable, and compassionate care.
As the investigation unfolds, health stakeholders are calling for a culture shift—one that places patient welfare, dignity, and ethical responsibility at the core of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
