Gladness Gideon
The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, has launched an internal investigation following allegations that a female patient died due to negligence while undergoing dialysis at the hospital’s Renal Centre.
The development came after a Facebook post made by one Ibrahim Katagum went viral, accusing hospital staff of abandoning his mother during a dialysis procedure, which allegedly led to her death. Katagum claimed that the dialysis tube connected to the patient had come loose while a nurse responsible for her care was outside, engaged in a personal conversation.
“I found this nurse outside talking to other people, while she had tied our mother to the blood filter,” Katagum wrote in Hausa. “The tube that was carrying the blood back and forth through her abdomen had come loose, and all her blood had spilt on the floor while she (the nurse) was outside.”
Katagum further stated that the doctors who reviewed the situation were surprised by the patient’s sudden death, noting inconsistencies between her condition when they last examined her and how she was later found.
In response, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Koli, acknowledged the gravity of the allegation in a statement shared via his official Facebook handle on Tuesday. He confirmed that a full internal inquiry had been initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
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“We are committed to getting to the root of the matter and will not hesitate to take the necessary and appropriate measures to address any identified lapses and forestall future occurrences,” Koli said.
The PRO extended the hospital’s condolences to the bereaved family and emphasized the institution’s commitment to high standards of care and accountability.
Koli also advised the public to report grievances through official hospital channels for prompt and structured resolution, rather than resorting to social media, which he noted might lack the decorum and clarity required for such sensitive matters.
The incident has sparked a wave of public concern over hospital safety standards and staff accountability. The outcome of the hospital’s investigation is expected to shape future protocols and trust in its patient care system.