Grief, anger, and calls for justice have trailed the death of a pregnant woman, Kemi Folajimi, at Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki, following claims that she was rejected by a private hospital for failure to pay a deposit of N500,000.
Her husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, shared the heartbreaking experience in a viral TikTok video, accusing the hospital of negligence that allegedly led to his wife’s untimely death.
In swift response, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Health, announced the commencement of a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, expressing the government’s sorrow and reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward medical negligence.
“The Lagos State Government has expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of a pregnant woman, Mrs. Folajimi, in Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki,” Abayomi stated. “The incident has led to public outrage, as it allegedly involved a traditional birth attendant and a private healthcare facility that denied her care due to a lack of financial deposit.”
Abayomi noted that the government has constituted a panel to examine the roles played by all parties involved, including a birth attendant and the private hospital—As Salam Convalescent Centre located in Iwerekun 1, Ibeju/Lekki.
The probe, he said, would cover critical areas such as the registration status of the facilities, compliance with medical protocols, and any act of negligence that may have contributed to the death.
He emphasized that no healthcare facility, whether public or private, is permitted under any circumstances to deny emergency medical attention to patients, especially in life-threatening conditions. According to him, such actions not only breach ethical codes but also violate regulatory obligations.
“The Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring that any facility or personnel found guilty will face legal consequences. No one should die during childbirth due to preventable negligence or disregard for emergency care,” the statement added.
However, the management of As Salam Convalescent Centre has strongly denied the allegations. In an interview with The PUNCH, the hospital’s owner, Rauf Salami, explained that the deceased was never a registered patient at the facility and was brought in already in critical condition.
“She had convulsed twice at home before being brought to our centre,” Salami said. “Upon quick examination, it was evident she had lost a significant amount of blood and needed an immediate blood transfusion and surgical intervention. We are not equipped to handle such emergencies, so we referred her to the Epe General Hospital right away.”
He further denied the claim that a N500,000 deposit was requested, insisting that the couple spent no more than four minutes at the facility before being advised to seek care elsewhere.
READ ALSO: WHO tests global health response
“We didn’t demand any money. If we had attempted to administer treatment, we could have worsened her condition. She was extremely pale, and even giving her a drip could have been fatal.
“We didn’t even remove her from the wheelchair she was brought in with. We did what was ethical by directing them to a better-equipped hospital”, said Salami.
Visibly emotional, Salami lamented the backlash that followed the husband’s social media video, saying it has not only maligned the image of the hospital but also affected him personally. “The accusations were painful. People are telling me to sue him, but I believe Allah knows the truth,” he said.
Akinbobola Folajimi, the bereaved husband, had earlier recounted the traumatic experience in a viral TikTok video. He alleged that the doctor at As Salam demanded a N500,000 deposit before treating his wife. According to him, all pleas to commence emergency care while he sourced the money were ignored.
“The doctor told me to deposit N500,000, and I begged him to start treatment while I looked for the money,” he said in the video. “But they drove us out like we didn’t matter. They told us to go to Epe General Hospital even when they knew how far Epe is from Lakowe. Before we got to Epe, my wife was gone.”
His emotional narration struck a chord with many Nigerians online, sparking a wave of outrage and renewed conversations about the state of emergency healthcare services and the treatment of expectant mothers in critical conditions.
In light of the incident, the Lagos State Government has called on community leaders, religious organisations, and healthcare professionals to work together in promoting maternal and child health. The Ministry of Health is also encouraging members of the public to report any healthcare facility operating without Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency registration or engaging in practices beyond their accredited scope.
To strengthen enforcement, the state is intensifying oversight across both private and public healthcare facilities. This, the Commissioner said, is a part of broader efforts to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies and uphold safety and quality standards in healthcare delivery.
“We are using this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to regulate and monitor all nursing homes and traditional birth attendants operating in Lagos. No life should be lost due to avoidable delays or poor medical judgment,” Abayomi emphasized.
As the investigation continues, the Lagos State Government has assured the public and the Folajimi family that justice will be served. The findings of the investigative panel are expected to be released soon, and anyone found guilty of professional misconduct or negligence will be held accountable.
“The Lagos State Government extends its condolences to the Folajimi family and reaffirms its dedication to preventing similar tragedies in the future while fostering a safer healthcare environment for all residents”, said Abayomi.
Crediblenewsng.com
