The Federal Medical Centre Jalingo has dismissed circulating allegations of extortion and unethical charges, defending its use of structured service packs as a standard practice in modern healthcare.
In a statement signed by Medical Director Aisha Shehu Adamu on Sunday, the hospital said it reviewed recent social media claims and found it necessary to respond to preserve public confidence in its services.
The management emphasized that while patients have the right to raise concerns, issues regarding clinical operations and hospital procedures should be addressed through official channels, warning that misinformation could create unnecessary public anxiety.
According to the statement, service packs, including admission packs, dressing packs, delivery kits, and procedure specific consumables are used worldwide to improve efficiency, safety, and accountability in patient care. Similar systems are employed in major Nigerian teaching hospitals as well as institutions in the United Kingdom, United States, India, South Africa, and Ghana.
“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 hospital said.
The management also highlighted the role of packs in infection prevention and control. Being sterile, sealed, and single use, they reduce the risk of contamination and hospital acquired infections. The hospital noted that poorly structured consumable systems could increase the risk of disease transmission, particularly during outbreaks such as Lassa fever.
Structured packs also help maintain consistency in clinical procedures, especially for junior staff, ensuring that all required materials are available for patient care. Charges for procedures like catheter insertion, nasogastric tube placement, and assisted feeding reflect the cost of sed personnel, sterile materials, and adherence to medical protocols within a resource-constrained system.
The hospital clarified that admission packs are designed to guarantee immediate availability of essential materials, maintain hygiene, and support uninterrupted care. FMC Jalingo concluded that the service pack system is not a form of exploitation but a structured approach to enhance patient safety, operational efficiency, and accountability.
Leave a comment