FMC Jalingo Refutes Claims of Extortion, Unethical Charges

The Federal Medical Centre Jalingo has dismissed allegations of extortion and unethical charges circulating on social media, defending its use of structured service pack systems as a globally accepted standard in healthcare delivery.

In a statement on Sunday signed by the Medical Director, Aisha Shehu-Adamu, the hospital said it had reviewed recent online claims and deemed it necessary to respond in order to protect public confidence in its services.

The hospital stressed that while citizens have the right to raise concerns, issues relating to clinical operations and hospital systems must be addressed through appropriate channels, warning that misinformation could create unnecessary public anxiety.

According to the management, the service packs—such as admission packs, dressing packs, delivery kits, and procedure-specific consumables—are a standard practice in modern healthcare systems worldwide.

It said the practice is not unique to the hospital, adding that similar systems are in place in major Nigerian teaching hospitals as well as healthcare institutions in the United Kingdom, United States, India, South Africa, and Ghana.

The hospital maintained that the system is designed to improve efficiency, safety, and accountability in patient care.

“Service packs ensure standardisation of care, eliminate delays in emergencies, and reduce the burden on patients’ relatives who would otherwise search for consumables during critical moments,” the statement said.

It added that the packs also play a crucial role in infection prevention and control, as they are sterile, sealed, and designed for single use, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and hospital-acquired infections.

The management further warned that poorly structured consumable systems could increase the risk of disease transmission, especially in the wake of infectious disease outbreaks such as Lassa fever in parts of the country.

According to the management, structured packs also ensure consistency in clinical procedures, particularly for junior medical staff, by guaranteeing that all necessary materials are readily available.

On concerns over charges for procedures such as catheter insertion, nasogastric tube placement, and assisted feeding, the hospital explained that such interventions require skilled personnel, sterile materials, and adherence to established medical protocols.

It said the fees attached to such services reflect the cost of delivery within a resource-constrained healthcare system and are not arbitrary.

The hospital also clarified that admission packs are designed to ensure immediate availability of essential consumables, maintain hygiene standards, and support uninterrupted patient care.

The hospital insisted that the service pack system is not a form of exploitation but a structured approach aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and accountability in healthcare delivery.