A grieving father in Lagos has recounted the tragic death of his newborn son following alleged medical negligence at Sarafik, a hospital affiliated with Evangelist Ebuka Obi’s Zion Prayer Movement Outreach in Akoka, Lagos State. The distraught father, who resides in Ajah, shared his harrowing experience with SaharaReporters on Thursday, detailing how his wife’s delivery at the facility ended in unimaginable heartbreak.
According to the father, his wife went into labor and expressed her desire to deliver at Sarafik, a church-affiliated hospital on the mainland. Despite initial reservations, he obliged and drove her to the facility. Upon arrival, he was required to pay multiple fees, including ₦45,000 for an emergency card, ₦25,000 for scans, and additional charges totaling up to ₦200,000.
Alleged Medical Negligence
The father explained that his wife successfully gave birth to a baby boy, but the situation took a tragic turn when doctors insisted on cutting the child’s tongue, claiming it would prevent future speech difficulties. Shortly after the procedure, the baby began bleeding excessively.
“The doctors said they wanted to cut the baby’s tongue. They claimed that if they didn’t, the baby might have difficulty speaking in the future,” the father recounted. “The baby started bleeding excessively, and when I asked my wife what had happened, she said the doctor told her the bleeding would stop.”
Despite assurances from the medical staff, the bleeding continued, and the baby’s condition worsened. The father rushed the infant to Lucent Hospital, where doctors referred them to Mother Acha on Ajao Ngobo Road. Upon arrival, medical staff at Mother Acha expressed shock at the baby’s condition and questioned why the previous hospital had discharged him while he was still bleeding.
“They asked why we had taken the baby to that hospital and why the previous doctors had allowed us to leave while the baby was still bleeding,” the father said. “They said there were ways to stop the bleeding without sending us home. However, despite their best efforts, the baby did not survive.”
Disturbing Observations at the Hospital
While at Sarafik, the father observed another pregnant woman in distress. The woman, who had traveled from Imo State for prayers at the church, developed complications and was rushed to the hospital. Despite paying ₦45,000 for a hospital card, she was allegedly denied treatment due to financial constraints.
“I saw a lady inside the hospital negotiating. Later, I learned from another lady outside that she had paid for some people who came all the way from Imo State to the church, not for medical treatment but just for prayers,” the father said. “One of the women, who was eight months pregnant, experienced complications. They rushed her to the hospital inside the church, but the staff told her they couldn’t afford to treat her, even though she had already paid ₦45,000 for the hospital card.”
The father recorded the incident, capturing the pregnant woman crying and rolling on the floor in pain. He expressed disbelief that a church-affiliated hospital would deny treatment to a woman in distress.
Calls for Accountability
The tragic death of the newborn has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. The father, while grieving, emphasized that he is not questioning God but is deeply troubled by the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.
“As I speak to you now, the baby is in my car. I don’t even know what to do. This is Lagos. I am not questioning God, but the baby is gone,” he said.
Implications and Next Steps
The incident raises serious concerns about the quality of care provided at church-affiliated medical facilities and the ethical implications of prioritizing financial gain over patient welfare. It also highlights the need for stricter regulation and oversight of such institutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the family mourns their loss, there are growing calls for a thorough investigation into the practices at Sarafik Hospital and Evangelist Ebuka Obi’s Zion Prayer Movement Outreach. The Lagos State Ministry of Health has yet to comment on the matter, but stakeholders are urging swift action to ensure justice for the grieving family and to prevent further loss of life.
