Journalist Agba Jalingo Accuses UCTH Antenatal Department Of Asking Patients To Buy Fuel After Paying Bills

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Nigerian Journalist Agba Jalingo Alleges Malpractice at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Claims Patients Asked to Buy Fuel.

Calabar, Nigeria — Renowned Nigerian journalist and activist, Agba Jalingo, has raised concerns over practices at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), accusing the hospital’s antenatal department of demanding that patients purchase fuel for the facility even after they have paid their medical bills.

Jalingo made these allegations in a post on his Facebook page, where he criticised the hospital for what he described as an exploitative and unprofessional practice.

Jalingo’s post, which quickly gained traction, sparked widespread reactions from social media users, many of whom shared similar experiences, accusing the hospital of imposing additional costs on patients for basic services that should have been covered by their payments.

An Outcry Over Exploitation

In his post, Jalingo expressed shock and disappointment that a government hospital would ask expectant mothers and other patients to bring fuel to power the hospital’s generator.

This practice, he argued, not only adds to the financial burden on patients but also reflects a broader systemic issue of poor funding and management in Nigeria’s public healthcare system.

“The antenatal department at UCTH is now asking patients to buy fuel after they’ve paid their bills. What kind of health system is this? Why should pregnant women be asked to bring fuel in a government hospital?” Jalingo wrote.

The post triggered a wave of responses from Nigerians who shared their own experiences of being asked to purchase essential items or services at hospitals, despite already paying for treatment. Some users claimed they had to buy gloves, medications, and even cleaning supplies when they sought care at various public hospitals across the country.

Agba Jalingo

Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability

Following Jalingo’s revelations, there has been mounting public outrage, with many calling for accountability and a thorough investigation into the alleged practices at UCTH. Some users pointed out that the hospital’s request for patients to buy fuel is likely a reflection of the broader energy crisis affecting public institutions in Nigeria, where intermittent power supply often forces hospitals to rely heavily on generators.

“I had a similar experience at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital,” one user commented. “I was asked to provide fuel for the generator during my wife’s labour, and we had already paid all the bills they gave us.”

Another user recounted, “It’s not just in Calabar. I was asked to buy gloves and other materials when I took my mother to a public hospital in Lagos. This is what our healthcare system has become.”

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UCTH Yet to Respond

As of the time of this report, the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital has yet to issue an official statement in response to Jalingo’s claims or the subsequent flood of accusations from other Nigerians. Calls for reform and government intervention are growing, with many urging the Ministry of Health to investigate and take immediate action to address the alleged systemic failures in the hospital.

The issue shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in public hospitals, where underfunding, inadequate resources, and poor management often result in substandard care and additional burdens on patients.

Jalingo, known for his fearless approach to journalism and activism, has been a vocal critic of government inefficiency and corruption. His latest exposé has once again drawn attention to the dire conditions in Nigeria’s public institutions, with many now waiting to see what actions, if any, will be taken in response to these revelations.

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