The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo has refuted claims circulating on social media accusing the hospital of extortion and unethical billing practices, defending its structured service pack system as a globally recognized standard in healthcare.
In a statement released on Sunday, March 29, and signed by Medical Director Aisha Shehu-Adamu, the hospital said it had reviewed recent online allegations and found it necessary to respond to safeguard public confidence in its services.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to raise concerns, the management emphasized that issues related to clinical operations and hospital procedures should be addressed through appropriate channels, warning that misinformation could create unnecessary anxiety among patients.
The statement explained that service packs—including admission packs, dressing packs, delivery kits, and procedure-specific consumables—are a standard feature in modern healthcare systems worldwide.
FMC Jalingo noted that similar systems are used in major Nigerian teaching hospitals as well as healthcare institutions in the United Kingdom, United States, India, South Africa, and Ghana.
According to the hospital, the use of service packs is intended to enhance 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.
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The hospital further highlighted that the packs are sterile, sealed, and intended for single use, making them crucial for infection prevention and control.
This approach, it said, helps reduce the risk of contamination and hospital-acquired infections. FMC Jalingo also warned that poorly structured consumable systems could heighten the risk of disease transmission, particularly amid outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Lassa fever in some parts of the country.
Structured packs also ensure consistency in clinical procedures, the management said, particularly for junior medical staff, by guaranteeing that all required materials are available when needed.
Addressing concerns over charges for procedures like catheter insertion, nasogastric tube placement, and assisted feeding, the hospital clarified that these interventions require skilled personnel, sterile materials, and adherence to established medical protocols.
The fees, it added, reflect the cost of delivering these services in a resource-constrained healthcare system and are not arbitrary.
The statement further explained that admission packs are intended to provide immediate access to essential consumables, uphold hygiene standards, and support uninterrupted patient care.
FMC Jalingo insisted that the service pack system is not a form of exploitation but a structured approach designed to improve safety, efficiency, and accountability in healthcare delivery.