The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja has strongly refuted allegations made in a widely circulated video that portrayed its Oncology Department as being in a poor state with inadequate facilities. The hospital's management has moved to clarify the situation, providing detailed information about its current cancer care services.
Patient's Viral Video Sparks Controversy
The controversy began when a patient currently receiving treatment at the centre released a video appealing for better welfare for health workers and improved infrastructure for cancer care. The patient, who praised the dedication of the medical team, lamented their difficult working conditions and what she described as an ill-equipped facility.
In her emotional account, the patient claimed that the oncology unit was extremely cramped, comparing its size to "a gateman's room" that had to accommodate seven or eight staff members. She also stated that patients were often forced to wait in corridors, sometimes exposed to the rain while awaiting consultations.
A significant allegation was that, until recently, there was no designated chemotherapy ward, requiring porters to search for empty beds in other wards before treatment sessions could begin. The patient used the video to call on the government to improve health workers' welfare, address salary arrears, and urgently upgrade oncology infrastructure across the board.
Hospital's Detailed Rebuttal
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Oiza Ahmadu, the Head of the Oncology Department at FMC Abuja, provided a point-by-point response to the allegations. She clarified that the viral video's depiction of the facility as "a small hall in the backyard" was inaccurate and misleading.
Dr Ahmadu explained that the area shown in the video was actually the outpatient clinic. While she acknowledged existing space constraints, she emphasized that the facility meets established standards and has been serving patients efficiently for the past four years.
The department head outlined the key components of their oncology services:
- A fully functional 12-bedded ward dedicated to oncology patients
- An outpatient clinic for consultations
- A palliative care unit that is nearing completion
- A patient navigation office
- Designated areas for providing psychological support to patients and families
Dr Ahmadu also highlighted that FMC Abuja has consultants' offices in a newly constructed clinical building and operates a dedicated oncology pharmacy, which is one of the few independently functioning oncology pharmacies in the region.
Transformation and Commitment to Service
Providing context to the facility's development, Dr Ahmadu noted that FMC Abuja has undergone significant transformation. It was originally a staff clinic before being upgraded to a tertiary healthcare institution in 2012 to meet the expanding healthcare needs of the Federal Capital Territory and its surrounding areas.
On the issue of costs, which is a critical concern for many patients, she provided clear figures: "For your reference, the consultation fee at our oncology clinic is N2,000, while the admission fee for a four-bedded room is N10,000 per day."
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the centre's commitment to continuously improving its services and ensuring better care for cancer patients. Dr Ahmadu stressed that the oncology unit remains fully functional and properly equipped to manage patients, despite the challenges common to many public health institutions in Nigeria.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between patient experiences, public perception, and institutional realities in Nigeria's healthcare sector, particularly in specialized fields like oncology where demand often outstrips available resources.
