The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commended the management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja, for taking decisive action against staff alleged to have neglected an accident victim.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Tuesday in Abuja.
A good Samaritan rescued the victim from a crash scene within the nation’s capital and took him to FMC Abuja for proper treatment.
Mohammed emphasised the imperatives of timely and adequate medical attention in reducing mortality rates and improving outcomes for crash victims.
He called on all healthcare providers to adopt a more proactive approach in responding to emergencies and saving the lives of rescued crash victims.
He also condemned the several rejections of crash victims from FRSC operatives by hospitals.
He revealed that the National Road Traffic Regulations (2024) frown explicitly at hospitals rejecting crash victims.
He said they did this with detailed provisions for adequate punishment for negligence or any misconduct that compromised established regulations on handling crash victims.
“We urge healthcare providers to prioritise the welfare of crash victims and uphold the highest standards of professionalism to save their lives,” he maintained.
The FRSC boss reiterated the Corps’ commitment to collaborate with healthcare providers and other stakeholders to enhance road safety and save lives.
“By working together, we can reduce crash fatalities to the barest minimum and improve response to emergencies,” he added.
The corps marshal commended the good Nigerian who rescued the victim single-handedly.
Mohammed called on citizens to emulate patriotism by joining hands to promote a culture of safety, discipline, and professionalism, which would make a difference and save more lives.
NAN reports that FMC management said eight staff members—including four doctors, two nurses, and two attendants—are under investigation for alleged professional negligence.
The hospital management told journalists that any staff member guilty of dereliction of duty would be held accountable.
The hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, Bioku Muftau, confirmed that the accident victims allegedly abandoned by hospital personnel, featured in a viral video circulating on social media, have been treated and discharged.
Muftau said the patient with a head injury, who appeared in the video and drew widespread public concern, was stabilised and discharged the same day he arrived at the facility.