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The management of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State, has dismissed recent media reports alleging a severe drug shortage at the hospital.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by Haruna Abubakar of the hospital’s Press and Protocol Department, the FMC management reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the availability of drugs and the delivery of quality healthcare services.
Abubakar acknowledged that while the hospital has faced some supply chain challenges, the situation was not as dire as portrayed in certain media reports.
“When this administration took over nearly five years ago, we inherited a significant debt related to drug supplies. Since then, we have remained proactive in settling outstanding payments to ensure uninterrupted drug availability for our patients.
“Our budget has been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Finance, and we anticipate a resolution to these challenges by the end of March 2025,” the statement read.
The hospital management also reassured the public of its strong working relationship with pharmaceutical vendors, despite alleged attempts to undermine its efforts.
It added that the hospital is actively engaging with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve access to medications for enrollees.
“We are fully operational, with essential medications available. We urge members of the public, journalists, and stakeholders to visit the hospital’s pharmacy and wards, including the Accident and Emergency unit, to independently verify the facts,” the statement added.
While noting that no hospital globally can guarantee the availability of all drugs at all times, the management assured patients that necessary medications are stocked.
Where certain drugs are unavailable, patients are advised to source them externally, which it described as a standard practice worldwide.
“FMC Jalingo is not in the business of providing free drugs but remains committed to ensuring affordable and accessible medications for all patients.
“NHIS enrollees continue to receive prescribed drugs within the coverage framework, and we take pride in maintaining the highest standards of medical service delivery,” it stated.
The hospital management urged the public to be wary of sensationalised reports that do not reflect the true situation at FMC Jalingo, stressing that its top priority remains the well-being of patients.
