Pregnant Woman Dies After Alleged Denial of Treatment Over ₦500,000 Deposit
Lagos, Nigeria – A pregnant woman, identified as Kemi, has reportedly died after being denied emergency medical care at a private hospital in Lagos over her inability to pay a ₦500,000 deposit. The tragic incident, which occurred in February, has sparked nationwide outrage after her husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, shared a heartbreaking video on Instagram showing his desperate attempts to keep her conscious as they rushed her to another hospital.
A Plea for Help Ignored
In the emotional footage, Folajimi is heard begging his wife to stay alive for their children as she lay weakly in a car. According to him, they had initially sought urgent care at a private hospital but were turned away when they couldn’t immediately pay the demanded ₦500,000 deposit.
“The doctor told me to deposit ₦500k, and I begged him to start emergency treatment while I arranged the money, but they drove us out like they didn’t care,” Folajimi wrote in his post.
The hospital allegedly referred them to the General Hospital in Epe, a journey that proved too long for Kemi’s deteriorating condition. She died before they could reach the facility.
Public Outrage Grows
The video has since gone viral, with Nigerians condemning the hospital’s alleged negligence and demanding accountability. Many have called for stricter enforcement of medical ethics, particularly in emergency cases where immediate care could mean the difference between life and death.
- Social Media Reactions: Thousands have expressed anger, with some sharing similar experiences of being denied treatment due to high deposits.
- Calls for Investigation: Activists and medical professionals are urging authorities to investigate the hospital’s actions and review Nigeria’s healthcare policies.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Healthcare System
This incident highlights a recurring issue in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, where private hospitals often demand exorbitant deposits before treating emergencies—despite ethical obligations to save lives first.
- Lack of Enforcement: While public hospitals are legally required to provide emergency care, private facilities frequently turn away patients who cannot pay upfront.
- Maternal Mortality Crisis: Nigeria accounts for nearly 20% of global maternal deaths, with financial barriers being a major contributing factor.
Authorities Yet to Respond
As of now, neither the Lagos State Government nor the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued an official statement on the incident. However, public pressure is mounting for regulatory action to prevent similar tragedies.
Folajimi’s post ended with a heartbreaking plea: “This is just too much for me. Jah knows and sees all.”
