The staff and management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, have been alleged to be responsible for the demise of a young man as a result of the insufficiency of bed space in the Federal Government owned hospital
The family of a man identified as Segun Ogunjobi, has called out the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, for their lackadaisical attitude in handling the emergency case of their son, which eventually led to his death.
According to Punch Metro, Segun was knocked down by a hit-and-run bus driver on Sunday, September 2, 2018.
He reportedly died while receiving treatment inside a bus after being denied admission to the Accident and Emergency Unit of LUTH.
Segun’s friend, Babatunde Kamilu, said they had planned to play football together before Segun was hit by the driver.
He said:
“We all wanted to play football that day before a commercial bus driver hit him and sped away. We took him to Navy Town Hospital, but he was referred to LUTH. When we got to LUTH, we were delayed.”
The victim’s brother, Tope, said that the 24-year-old died in his arms around 10pm while receiving treatment inside the bus after being denied admission to the Accident and Emergency Unit of LUTH.
The Ekiti State indigene added that the gates of the emergency unit were locked, adding that despite begging security guards at the gate for help to get a doctor, no one heeded their cry.
He said:
“When we got to the emergency unit, we shouted for help, but nobody answered. They locked the entrance into the reception of the accident and emergency unit. We pleaded with the security guards to help us get a doctor, but they did not answer.
“Later, a young doctor came out to take his details and gave me a list of what to purchase, which cost N6,000. We had no money, but God favoured us with the shuttle driver, who borrowed us some money.
“Afterwards, I asked if we could bring him in, but the doctor said no. He said they had no bed space.
“It was inside the bus that a nurse gave my brother two drips. I held his head, while his friends held his legs and the drip. But around 10pm, he was no longer struggling; his hands and legs became cold.
I told my mum that Segun was losing his energy, but she said he was relaxing. I started shouting on everybody to call the doctor. I was crying and shouting. Suddenly, blood gushed out of his nostrils and ears. He gave up inside the shuttle.
“I followed them when they rushed him in; I saw when they tried to revive him, but it was too late. I shed tears when they ordered me outside. Later, a doctor came out and said she was sorry because we had lost him. They caused it all; they did not attend to us on time and I want justice.”
The deceased’s mother, Elizabeth, alleged that doctors and nurses on duty on the night lacked empathy for human life.
The 59-year-old retiree said:
“I begged the doctors and nurses to take him inside for proper treatment, but no one listened. They saw my son dying and did not bother. I begged till he died inside the shuttle around 10pm.
“After he gave up, they came to carry him and started pumping his chest. I cried and shouted at them. I told them that they were only fooling themselves because if they had listened to me earlier, he would have probably survived.
“I could not stand his remains staying there that night. Even when I was told that they won’t issue his death certificate, I said I did not need it. I told his friends to go and look for a cab when they came back. I pleaded with the cab driver to help me carry my son’s corpse. The driver was scared because I had no certificate, but I assured him nothing would happen.”
The Public Relations Officer, LUTH, Kelechi Otuneme, said when bed spaces were occupied, patients were usually advised to wait pending the availability of one.
Otunemen said:
“We commiserate with the family of the deceased. The Accident and Emergency Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital is where emergency cases are received, treated and stabilised. They may be discharged or transferred to the wards for further management after initial care.
“However, when the unit is at its maximum capacity, patients and their relatives are advised to wait pending the availability of a space or be referred to any other government hospital in Lagos.
“Unfortunately, few patients leave the waiting area before bed space becomes available; this may have been what happened to the deceased. Sometimes, the hospital is overwhelmed with the number of cases, as it is truly the first of two teaching hospitals in Lagos serving over 25 million people of the state.”
