After allegedly refusing to treat Kemi, a pregnant woman, because her husband was unable to provide an initial payment of ₦500,000, a private hospital in Lagos State’s Ibeju-Lekki neighborhood came under heavy public attention.
As far as we know, the hospital has not yet made a public statement regarding the incident.
Akinbobola Folajimi, the woman’s husband, first brought attention to the tragic incident in February. On Tuesday, it reappeared on social media, sparking new indignation and demands for responsibility.
The hospital, whose identity is unknown, reportedly refused Kemi emergency care because they required a deposit before providing any treatment. In a widely shared video, the distraught husband is seen in a car begging his obviously ill wife to stay alert.
“Look at me, Kemi, my goodness. Look at me, stay strong. Please think about your children. In the video, Folajimi says, “You have to be really strong for me.”
Folajimi wrote in a follow-up post that the hospital turned them away and sent them to the General Hospital in Epe, which he claimed was too far away for his wife’s urgent condition. According to reports, she died on the way.
“The doctor instructed me to make a ₦500,000 deposit. While I went to obtain the money, I pleaded with him to begin therapy, but they turned us away. She was gone when we arrived at Epe General Hospital,” he wrote.
Silent Hospital In the Face of Public Outrage
PUNCH’s attempts to contact the hospital for comment failed. As at the time of writing, neither a text message nor a call to the number provided on the facility’s website had been returned.
The said occurrence has generated a lot of online criticism, with Nigerians calling for immediate changes to the healthcare system, especially in the area of emergency care.
University lecturer Dr. Femi Yekinni called for legislative action on X (previously Twitter), saying, “This is just so sad and heartbreaking.” Do everything you can to get the money back after saving a life. Around the world, this is the accepted norm. To solve problems like these, the National Assembly must enact legislation.
Anthony Kene, another user, commented: “The hospital’s name implies religious association. In an emergency, hospitals must never turn away patients because they are too poor. That need to be mandated by law.
In addition, Damilola Olarewaju said: “How does a deceased person pay ₦500,000? It makes no sense to put money before life. Hospitals ought to treat patients first, then handle payment.
Husband’s activities are met with mixed reactions.
Others questioned Folajimi’s choice to take his wife to a private institution rather than a public hospital, even though many people felt sorry for him. His decision to record his wife in anguish was also criticized by several.
One user, @lordVolder2, left the following comment: “Why create a video in such a dire circumstance? This was not the moment to record, may God comfort him.
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Another, @Blueplug11, stated: “In an emergency, every second matters.” It is risky to spend time filming a video instead of concentrating on seeking assistance.
“Avoid private hospitals if you don’t have enough money,” user @IamChukwuemeka suggested. They are motivated by business. In his spare time, he registered her at a public medical facility.
Long-standing worries about the commercialization of healthcare in Nigeria, especially during emergencies, have been rekindled by the episode.
Legislative action is now being demanded by many to guarantee that emergency patients receive treatment right away, with payment arrangements being addressed later.
