UATH Rejects Viral Negligence Allegations After Infant’s Death, Calls for Calm
The Management of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, has strongly rejected viral allegations of systemic negligence and administrative failure circulating on social media following the death of an infant at the facility.
The hospital, in a statement signed by the Executive Assistant to the Chief Medical Director, Hadiza Malumfashi Shehu, expressed condolences to the bereaved family while describing several online narratives as misleading, exaggerated and capable of undermining public confidence in the healthcare system.
The reaction followed viral posts on social media platforms alleging widespread negligence and collapse within the hospital’s paediatric unit, with some users describing the facility as a “mortuary for paediatrics and infants.”
The allegations triggered widespread outrage online and renewed public concerns over healthcare delivery in tertiary institutions.
However, UATH management said preliminary findings indicated that the infant was brought to the hospital in a critical condition, with complications linked to severe malaria and convulsions that reportedly predated arrival at the facility.
According to the hospital, medical personnel on duty immediately commenced emergency intervention in line with established medical protocols aimed at stabilising the patient.
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The management further clarified that all clinical decisions taken during the treatment process, including movement of the patient within the hospital, were strictly intended to improve access to specialised care and critical medical equipment.
“Contrary to claims circulating online, the hospital’s emergency response team acted promptly and professionally throughout the management process,” the statement noted.
Addressing specific allegations, the hospital maintained that UATH remains a fully functional tertiary healthcare institution providing services to thousands of Nigerians daily.
The management described claims suggesting a total absence of basic medical supplies or complete administrative collapse as “exaggerated and misleading.”
It added that the hospital operates established protocols for emergency paediatric care, patient monitoring and escalation procedures, while internal reviews and clinical audits are routinely conducted in cases involving critical incidents.
The hospital also cautioned against what it described as unfair public expectations surrounding emergency and critical care medicine, stressing that certain medical emergencies remain highly complex despite professional intervention.
“It is inaccurate and unfair to reduce such situations to allegations of negligence without a thorough professional investigation,” the statement added.
UATH called on members of the public and media practitioners to avoid sensational reporting and allow due process, medical ethics and professional review mechanisms to guide public discourse on sensitive healthcare matters.
The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, continuous improvement and the delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
By PRNigeria
