LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Nigerian cancer patient has publicly criticized the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja, over poor infrastructure, delayed salaries for healthcare workers, and the harsh conditions faced by patients receiving chemotherapy.
The patient, identified on TikTok as @kate_the_socialista, shared her experience in a viral video, highlighting the struggles of undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital.
In the clip, she described the “ill-equipped” environment cancer patients endure while seeking medical care.
According to her, the hospital lacks a proper waiting area for cancer patients, forcing many of them to remain outdoors regardless of the weather conditions.
She recounted several occasions when she was soaked by rain while waiting to be attended to.
She also painted a troubling picture of the hospital’s oncology consultation room, describing it as extremely small and uncomfortable for both patients and medical personnel.
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“The consultation room is like a gateman’s room,” she said, explaining that nearly eight medical staff members worked inside the cramped space despite the intense heat and poor conditions.
Despite her criticism of the hospital management, the patient praised members of the oncology unit for their dedication and professionalism.
She specifically mentioned Doctor Popoola, Doctor Adamu, Matron Mark, Nurse Vivian, and Nurse Ruth, describing them as “amazing.”
However, she accused the hospital management of neglecting cancer patients despite the high cost of treatment and consultations.
“It’s bad enough that we are paying huge amounts for healthcare and still we cannot access qualified medical doctors. Please help us,” she stated.
Furthermore, the patient alleged that hospital porters often moved from ward to ward searching for available beds before chemotherapy sessions could begin.
This situation, she noted, caused already stressed patients to wait for several hours before receiving treatment.
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She added that the oncology department only recently received a small back room for chemotherapy procedures, highlighting what she described as years of inadequate support for cancer care services at the facility.
Beyond infrastructure concerns, the patient also drew attention to the welfare of healthcare workers, especially doctors affected by salary delays and industrial actions.
“How do you expect somebody to be in that environment every single day and you don’t pay them at the end of the month?” she asked.
She linked the poor welfare conditions to the growing medical brain drain in Nigeria, where healthcare professionals continue to leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
“Dear Nigerian government, I’m standing in the gap of other patients across the country and I am begging you. Please pay Nigerian doctors what they are owed,” she appealed.
In addition, she called for improved welfare packages for healthcare workers alongside better medical infrastructure for patients battling serious illnesses such as cancer.
Ultimately, the patient also urged Nigerians to keep sharing her video until it reaches the relevant authorities for urgent intervention.
