Patients affected by the recent explosion in Abuja are frustrated with the poor services at the National Hospital. They are calling for immediate action.
During a visit on Thursday, by media saw distressing conditions. Some patients were sitting on the floor, covered in wounds and bandages.
Victims reported that many were not seen by medical staff until the early hours of the next day. Some claimed they were discharged without proper treatment and had to sit on the floor for hours.
“We waited for hours without care. It wasn’t until around 4 a.m. that we were finally seen,” one victim said.
Others criticized the hospital for inadequate facilities and staff. “This is supposed to be one of the best hospitals, but the reality is far from it. We were treated poorly,” another patient added.
Families of patients expressed concern over rising drug costs and healthcare expenses. One relative described the strain of buying necessary medications, saying it has drained their savings.
“We are doing everything we can for our loved one, but the cost is becoming unbearable,” they said.
The family urged authorities to address high medicine costs and provide support for patients and caregivers.
A hospital official explained that some patients experienced delays because doctors prioritized those with severe injuries. Minor injury patients were discharged to make room for critical cases.
“Some patients weren’t attended to quickly because others needed urgent care,” the official said. They assured the public that those discharged were stable.
Efforts to reach Muhammad Gidado Adamu, the Senior Public Relations Officer at the National Hospital, were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced he would cover the medical bills for victims of a tragic road accident in Karu.
Through his Senior Special Assistant, Wike stated he instructed Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe to ensure prompt care for the victims.
“Dr. Fasawe was at Asokoro District Hospital throughout the night, attending to the 17 casualties brought in,” Wike reported. Seven victims were later transferred to the National Hospital, while six with minor injuries were treated. Three others with severe burns and crush injuries remain under care, though one succumbed despite efforts to save them.
Wike urged road users, especially heavy-duty drivers, to follow speed limits and traffic rules to prevent similar tragedies. “It’s painful that lives were lost in an accident that could have been avoided,” he lamented. He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to enforce road safety regulations more strictly.
