A private hospital in Lagos State’s Ibeju-Lekki neighborhood has come under heavy fire from the public for allegedly turning away a pregnant patient named Kemi because her husband was unable to provide an urgent ₦500,000 payment.
The hospital has not yet made a public statement regarding the incident, as far as we know.
The terrible tale, which first came to light in February thanks to the woman’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, reappeared on social media on Tuesday, sparking new outrage and demands for responsibility.
Kemi was reportedly refused emergency care by the hospital, whose identity is unknown, since they required a deposit before providing any medical attention. The distraught husband is seen in a car in a widely shared video begging his obviously ill wife to stay alert.
“My goodness, take a look at me, Kemi. Keep going; have a peek at me. Don’t forget about your children. “You must have a lot of strength for me,” says Folajimi in the video.
After being refused away, the hospital sent them to the General Hospital in Epe, which Folajimi stated was too far for his wife’s critical condition, he wrote in a follow-up post. They say she died on the way.
“I was instructed to deposit ₦500,000 by the doctor. They turned us away after I pleaded with him to begin therapy while I went to collect the money. She left before we got to Epe General Hospital,” he wrote.
Hospital Quiet During Public Outrage
PUNCH’s attempts to get a response from the hospital were not successful. The number on the facility’s website was unreachable by phone, and as of the time of writing, a text message was not returned.
Nigerians are calling for immediate changes to the healthcare system, especially in the area of emergency care, in response to the claimed occurrence, which has generated a wave of anger online.
On X (previously Twitter), university lecturer Dr. Femi Yekinni called for legislative action, saying, “This is just so sad and heartbreaking.” Prioritize saving a life before attempting to recoup the funds. All around the world, this is the accepted norm. The National Assembly must enact legislation to deal with such matters.
According to Anthony Kene, another user, “The hospital’s name implies religious affiliation.” Emergency patients must never be turned away by hospitals due to financial concerns. It must be a requirement of the law.
“How does a deceased person pay ₦500,000?” Damilola Olarewaju continued. It is illogical to put money before life. Payments should be handled after hospitals have treated patients.
Conflicting Responses to the Husband’s Behavior
Many people felt sorry for Folajimi, but others questioned why he chose to take his wife to a private hospital rather than a public one. Additionally, he was criticized by others for photographing his wife in anguish.
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The following comment was made by user @lordVolder2: “Why create a video in such a dire circumstance? God bless him, but now was not the moment to record.
In an emergency, every second matters, according to another, @Blueplug11. Instead of concentrating on receiving help, it is risky to spend time making a video.
Avoid private hospitals if you don’t have enough money, according to user @IamChukwuemeka. They have a business mindset. He had enough time to get her registered at a public hospital.
Concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare system’s monetization, especially during emergencies, have been rekindled by the episode.
In order to guarantee that emergency patients receive treatment right away and that payment arrangements are taken care of later, many are now advocating for legislative action.
