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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Miss Florence Longs is a beautiful young lady from Plateau State. Just around the end of 2025, she fell ill and was rushed to a popular hospital in Jos. Although she survived the particular health issue, the medical experience at the hospital left a bitter story in its wake.
Narrating the incident, which has since led to the closure of the hospital (names withheld) by government, a relative of the victim, Roland, recounted his shock when he stumbled upon the fact that his younger sister was administered with expired fluid: “Sincerely, it was heart breaking to discover that the fluid administered on her expired over a year ago.”
Roland, a broadcast journalist, said his sister was admitted to the facility a few days before Christmas and diagnosed over an issue bordering on the twisting of her intestines, which required surgery: “We were all very worried. But we had faith and went through the process and preparations, making sure everything was well and available for the surgery.
“As a journalist and having covered the activities of NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies, I was conscious about certain details like the manufacturing and expiry dates of products. It was on account of this that I discovered that a product administered on her was expired.
“The sad part of it was the way the nurse on duty handled my complaint with laxity, when I drew her attention to it. She acted as if it wasn’t a serious issue. But I insisted on getting explanations from the managing director of the hospital.
“Having heard of the unfortunate incident, the MD of the hospital hurriedly looked for me the next day. He was in all modesty very remorseful and apologetic, expressing shock over how the expired fluid found its way to their facility. But I think at that point the matter had gone pass my control.”
Daily Sun gathered that government stepped into the matter and not only sealed up the facility but also launched a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The hospital was charged for administrating an expired Ringer’s Lactate intravenous fluid on a patient.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, confirmed that an expired Ringer’s Lactate infusion, with batch No. B21284, with a manufacturing date of November 2021 and an expiry date of October 2024, was administered to the patient, hence, the hard measures undertaken by government.
He said they have commenced a search for the producer or supplier of the particular product, adding that they are working in collaboration with the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (DMCMA), with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control:
“So far, the outcome of the investigation confirmed the unfortunate health development, which represents a health risk to not only citizens of Plateau State, but the country at large.
“Investigation revealed serious breaches of pharmaceutical and clinical practice.” He accused the hospital of operating without a “licensed pharmacist.”
“Findings by the investigation team included poor medicine management practices and other unprofessional practices which are capable of endangering citizens’ and the lives of the patients’ lives. Appropriate sanctions will be applied where culpability is established in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 2022 (No. 31), section 54.
“The state government treats patient safety and quality healthcare delivery as non-negotiable. In line with established regulatory procedures and in the interest of public safety, the hospital pharmacy would remain sealed pending the conclusion of investigations and full compliance with the regulatory requirements.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the state’s zero tolerance for quackery, negligence and unethical practices in the health sector and reminded healthcare providers of their professional and moral obligation including the need to adhere strictly to regulatory standards, especially in terms of medicine handling, staffing and patients’ care.
