ATBUTH Uncovers Fraud, Recovers ₦27,000 from Patient

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi has exposed a fraudulent scheme within its premises, recovering ₦27,000 allegedly extorted from a patient. The hospital’s SERVICOM Unit discovered the fraud during routine surveillance, leading to the arrest of an impostor defrauding patients and their relatives.

According to Usman Koli, Head of Public Relations and Protocol at ATBUTH, the suspect, an elderly man, was apprehended after collecting ₦45,000 from the relatives of a gunshot injury patient. The man demanded ₦5,000 for a hospital smart card and ₦40,000 for drugs, although smart cards are free and the drugs cost ₦18,150. The excess ₦27,000 was recovered, and the suspect has been handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Yusuf Bara, praised the SERVICOM team for their vigilance and reaffirmed the hospital’s zero tolerance for extortion, impersonation, or any fraudulent activity. Patients and the public were urged to report suspicious individuals or unofficial payment demands to hospital authorities.

ATBUTH also warned against fraudsters impersonating staff to solicit money for employment or appointments, stressing that no one is authorised to collect fees or inducements. Those who have made payments are advised to report immediately, as failure to do so could attract legal action.

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