The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive review into complaints alleging unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty and illegal collection of taxes by some officials at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, with a warning that anyone found guilty will be punished.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, disclosed this on Friday during the launch and distribution of Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS) and tricycle ambulances to selected health centers in Ogun State under the National Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services System (NEMSAS).
Salako, who said his office had received several complaints in recent months and also found media reports about alleged unprofessional practices at the FMC, said the allegations would receive the ministry’s attention.
“Unfortunately, in recent months, my office has been inundated with several complaints and I have also come across some media reports alleging unprofessional practices, dereliction of duty and illegal collection of taxes against some officials of this centre,” he said.
He added that anyone found guilty following an investigation would be punished in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, and stressed that the measure was necessary to maintain public confidence in the hospital.
The minister, however, praised healthcare workers who continued to perform their duties diligently and maintain high ethical standards.
“When patients visit or arrive at our hospital, the minimum they expect from us is professional medical care, support, clear communication and respectful treatment,” Salako said.
He assured the diligent healthcare workers that their efforts will not go unrewarded and urged them to maintain professionalism in discharging their responsibilities.
Earlier, Salako said the Federal Government had procured 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, 15 BLS ambulances and 79 ALS ambulances, along with laptops, printers and communication devices, as part of the first phase of efforts to strengthen emergency medical services across the country.
Ogun State, he said, received three ALS ambulances, one BLS ambulance and nine tricycle ambulances for deployment to the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital and selected remote and high volume primary and secondary care centres.
He said the intervention was designed to move emergency care beyond ambulance provision to a coordinated system linking transport, trained staff, communication, referral pathways and definitive hospital treatment.
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According to him, emergency medical services remain essential in reducing preventable deaths and disabilities resulting from traffic accidents, obstetric emergencies, strokes, heart attacks, drownings and industrial accidents.
The minister also revealed that under the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, NEMSAS had helped over 48,000 women access free emergency obstetric care and over 4,000 women receive free caesarean sections at NHIA-qualified facilities.
It said the intervention had contributed to a 17 per cent reduction in maternal deaths and a 12 per cent reduction in newborn deaths in 172 high-burden local government areas.
Salako said the success of the ambulance program would depend on proper deployment, maintenance, trained personnel, monitoring and accountability by state and local authorities.
He warned beneficiary establishments not to abuse ambulances and emphasized that they should be used strictly for emergency medical services.
“Let me emphasize that these ambulances are not hearses to transport dead bodies or to go to the market to buy goods, including medicines and other hospital consumables,” he said.
He urged the Ogun State Government and beneficiary facilities to provide supplementary funds for operations and maintenance to ensure that the vehicles remain functional and available when emergencies occur.
Salako further said that the Federal Government was working to address the fragmented regulatory framework governing first responders and emergency management in the country, in collaboration with the National Assembly.
He said NEMSAS would continue to work with relevant federal agencies, state governments, private sector operators, security agencies, health facilities and emergency workers to develop a unified system connecting emergency dispatch, pre-hospital care, transport and receiving hospitals.
He said the ultimate goal was to establish an emergency medical system that was accessible, responsive, coordinated, equitable, resilient and sustainable across Nigeria.
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