In response to public outrage sparked by a viral video showing accident victims allegedly left unattended, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has ordered sweeping reforms at a major Abuja hospital’s emergency unit.
Dr. Salako made the directive during an unscheduled inspection visit on Sunday, where he announced immediate steps to improve emergency care services.
Speaking with hospital staff, he stressed:
“You are in the eye of the storm, responsible for saving lives. Even if you’ve done one million things right, one mistake is what the public will remember.”
Based on the findings of a government investigative panel, Salako ordered the hospital to increase the number of casualty officers per shift from two to at least four and ensure the integration of newly recruited health assistants into operations.
The minister pledged to launch a nationwide emergency care training programme to standardise medical responses and prevent future lapses.
During his visit, the Head of the Emergency Unit, Dr. Timothy Sama’ila, acknowledged challenges including staff shortages, high patient volume, and limited space.
On security, hospital management said it is working with private firms and NSCDC officers to manage access, while Salako pushed for enhanced CCTV surveillance, calling it “vital for accountability.”
The inspection underlines the federal government’s renewed commitment to delivering prompt and quality emergency healthcare to all Nigerians.