A private hospital in Ibeju/Lekki, Lagos State, has remained silent following the death of a pregnant woman, identified as Kemi, who allegedly died after being refused treatment due to her husband’s inability to make an upfront payment of N500,000.
The tragic incident, first shared by Akinbobola Folajimi, Kemi's husband, in February, resurfaced on Tuesday on social media, sparking widespread outrage. According to reports, the hospital in the Lekki area allegedly denied emergency care without the deposit. In a viral video, Kemi was seen visibly weak inside a car, with her husband desperately trying to keep her conscious. He pleaded, “My goodness, Kemi, look at me. Stay strong; look at me. Think about your kids, please. You need to be very strong for me.”
Folajimi later revealed that after being turned away from the private hospital, they were referred to a general hospital in Epe, where Kemi tragically died during transport. In an emotional post, Folajimi shared his grief, stating, “The doctor told me to deposit N500,000, and I begged him to start doing whatever was needed to save my wife while I ran around for the money, but they drove us out like they didn’t care. Unfortunately, they blindly rejected us and asked me to take her to the General Hospital at Epe, even though the doctor knew that Epe from Lakwe is way too far for her condition. Before we rushed her to Epe, she was gone.”
Efforts to contact the hospital were unsuccessful. Calls to the listed phone number on the hospital’s website went unanswered, and a text message sent to the same number received no response by the time of reporting.
Online Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The hospital’s alleged actions have sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians demanding sanctions. Dr. Femi Yekinni, a lecturer, expressed his sorrow, writing, “This is just so sad and heartbreaking. Save a life first, then do whatever you can to recover the money later. This is the acceptable standard all over the world. The National Assembly needs to make a law to address critical issues such as this.”
Anthony Kene, another social media user, noted that the hospital’s affiliation with a religious body should prevent such actions, arguing that laws should mandate hospitals to treat patients regardless of their financial situation. Similarly, Damilola Olarewaju criticized the policy, saying, “How does a dead person pay N500,000? Prioritising money over life makes no sense. Hospitals should treat first and sort payments later. What’s the point of a deposit if the patient doesn’t even survive to pay?”
Call for Accountability in Healthcare
The incident has sparked a broader conversation on the need to hold hospitals accountable for prioritizing financial gain over life-saving treatment. Many are calling for legislation to ensure that medical facilities provide immediate care in emergencies, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay upfront. The incident has highlighted the pressing need to balance healthcare access with financial considerations, especially in critical situations.
