FMC Jalingo clarifies service pack system

The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, says the service pack system is not an act of exploitation but a structured and globally accepted approach to safe, efficient, and accountable healthcare delivery.

The management, while responding to a social media publication alleging extortion and unethical charges within the hospital, explained that the use of structured service-based consumable packs such as admission packs, dressing packs, delivery kits, and procedure-specific bundles is a globally recognised best practice in modern healthcare delivery.

In a press statement, the management clarified that the system is not peculiar to FMC Jalingo but is routinely applied in leading tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

“The management of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, has carefully reviewed the recent social media commentary alleging extortion and unethical charges within the hospital.

“We wish to clarify that the use of structured service-based consumable packs such as admission packs, dressing packs, delivery kits, and procedure-specific bundles is a globally recognised best practice in modern healthcare delivery.

“It is routinely applied in leading tertiary institutions across Nigeria,” the hospital management stated.

The hospital management said it considered the allegation necessary to respond to with clarity, facts, and professional responsibility in order to safeguard public confidence and ensure that conversations around healthcare delivery remain informed and constructive.

“As a foremost public health institution, we consider it necessary to respond with clarity, facts, and professional responsibility in order to safeguard public confidence and ensure that conversations around healthcare delivery remain informed and constructive.

“While we respect the right of citizens to raise concerns, it is important to emphasise that matters relating to clinical systems and hospital operations require proper engagement and understanding.

“As an institution, the hospital maintains established channels for public interface, including the SERVICOM Unit, which is specifically mandated to provide information, receive complaints, and facilitate resolution. These mechanisms exist to ensure that concerns are addressed accurately and promptly.

“It is therefore expected that individuals seeking clarification on technical healthcare issues will take advantage of these institutional channels before drawing conclusions, particularly where such commentary has the potential to create public anxiety or erode confidence in essential health services,” it stated.

The hospital management also noted that service packs are introduced primarily to ensure standardisation, efficiency, safety, and accountability in healthcare delivery.

It disclosed that a critical component of the system is infection prevention and control.

“This system is not peculiar to FMC Jalingo. It is routinely applied in leading tertiary institutions across Nigeria, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, as well as in advanced health systems such as hospitals under the National Health Service and major medical centres in Ghana, the United States, India, and South Africa, among others.

“Service packs are introduced primarily to ensure standardisation, efficiency, safety, and accountability in healthcare delivery.

“By providing complete and pre-arranged consumables required for specific procedures, they eliminate the risk of omission of critical items, reduce delays associated with sourcing materials, and support timely medical intervention, particularly in emergency situations.

“They also significantly reduce the burden on patients’ relatives, who would otherwise be required to move from one point to another in search of items under urgent conditions. A critical component of this system is infection prevention and control.

“Service packs are sterile, sealed, and designed for single use, thereby minimising contamination and supporting strict aseptic practices.

“In the context of recent outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Lassa fever in parts of Nigeria, the importance of such controlled systems cannot be overstated.

“The absence of properly structured and sterile consumables, or reliance on repeatedly handled materials, increases the risk of transmission to healthcare workers and other patients, with potentially severe public health consequences. Service packs, therefore, serve as a frontline safeguard for both patients and medical personnel,” it explained.

The management emphasised that service packs also enhance transparency and accountability.

“Beyond safety, the system also enhances transparency and accountability.

“By bundling consumables into defined packs, patients have clearer expectations of what is required for their care, reducing fragmented or unpredictable billing. It also helps curb wastage, minimises diversion of supplies, and strengthens internal audit processes within the hospital.

“In addition, structured packs improve inventory management by simplifying procurement, reducing stock-outs of essential items, and preventing overstocking and expiry.

“They also support training and consistency in care delivery, particularly for junior staff, by ensuring that all required materials for procedures are readily available and standardised,” the statement continued.

It also clarified that services such as catheter insertion, nasogastric tube placement, and assisted feeding are clinical interventions that require skilled personnel, sterile consumables, and adherence to established medical protocols.

“With respect to concerns raised about charges for certain procedures, it is important to clarify that services such as catheter insertion, nasogastric tube placement, and assisted feeding are clinical interventions requiring skilled personnel, sterile consumables, and adherence to established medical protocols.

The associated charges reflect the cost of delivering these services within the realities of a resource-constrained healthcare system and are not arbitrary impositions.

“Similarly, admission packs are designed to ensure the immediate availability of essential consumables, maintain hygiene standards, and support continuity of care without delay.

“These packs typically include a combination of medical-grade consumables and hygiene materials necessary for patient management and environmental cleanliness.”

The management stated that it remains mindful of the economic realities faced by many patients and families and assured the public that the composition and pricing of the packs are subject to continuous review to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with the centre’s mandate of accessible healthcare.

It urged that commentary on sensitive healthcare matters should be guided by accuracy and responsibility, noting that narratives that undermine confidence in healthcare institutions without prior clarification would not serve the interest of patients, as they risk creating unnecessary fear and discouraging individuals from seeking needed medical care.

The management added that the center, under the leadership of Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu, remains committed to providing quality, affordable, and patient-centered care and encouraged members of the public to utilise appropriate channels for inquiries, feedback, and complaints.