Health
Family blames LUTH for son’s death
The family of an electrician, Segun Ogunjobi, has called for investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that 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, told our correspondent 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.”
Health
Enhancement of Military Health Services: Matawalle Meets U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Health
In a significant move to bolster Defence Health Services and strengthen the partnership between the United States and Nigeria, the Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Bello Matawalle, met with a U.S. delegation led by Dr. David Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Health.
A statement endorsed by Henshaw Ogubike, director of Information and PR at the Ministry, shows that the the meeting focused on enhancing the existing collaboration in defence health between the two nations, which has previously facilitated the establishment of high-tech laboratories in Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister commended the U.S. for their efforts and urged for the expansion of these medical facilities beyond Abuja and Lagos to reach more derserved regions.
Dr. Matawalle emphasized the strategic integration of health services to improve the welfare of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, stating, “A healthy military is the backbone of a strong nation.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that military personnel have access to top-tier healthcare services and facilities. To this end, he called for an increase in the defence budget allocated to health, viewing it as a vital investment in the nation’s future and stability.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that these initiatives align with Nigeria’s broader commitment to enhancing military readiness while addressing public health challenges that affect both service members and the civilian population. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is dedicated to improving healthcare for military personnel and civilians, recognizing healthcare as a cornerstone of national security.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni, stated that this initiative would positively impact military health and serve as a model for strengthening Nigeria’s overall healthcare system. “This collaboration marks a turning point for Nigeria’s defence health system,” he asserted.
Dr. Smith praised the Minister for his proactive approach to health readiness, underscoring the critical connection between health systems and military effectiveness. “Health is as crucial as any weapon system in ensuring military success, and we are committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its defence health system,” he remarked.
The U.S. delegation is in Nigeria to further advance initiatives aimed at sustaining progress against HIV, accelerating efforts towards the United Nations’ 95-95-95 goals, and working towards the elimination of HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
Health
Neptune Prime publisher to unveil cancer clinic, school, foundation for late journalists’ families as son weds in Yobe
The publisher of Neptune Prime newspapers, Dr Hassan Gimba, has announced plans to commission three major projects in his home state, Yobe State
In an invitation letter sent to newsmen on Wednesday, the publisher disclosed that the event, which is scheduled to take place on August 31, is coinciding with the wedding Fatiha of his son, Barrister Suleiman Gimba.
According to the letter, the wedding Fatiha will take place by 11:00am at the residence of Mohammed Babate, Behind Water Board, Army Barracks, Potiskum.
“Immediately after the wedding Fatihah, we will be commissioning the Hafsatu Gimba Ahmed Memorial School located at VIO Street, Unguwar Jaji, Potiskum.
“This institution is dedicated to the memory of my late mother, aiming to serve the educational needs of our community,” the letter noted.
Dr Gimba added that as part of the launch programme, the Abubakar Monja Lifeline Foundation for Late Journalists’ Families, which he founded to cater to the families of journalists who have passed away, will be empowering youths it trained in tailoring and plumbing.
“Additionally, I would like to invite you to inspect the ongoing construction of the Lami Fatima Babare Cancer Outreach and Clinic situated nearby, also in Unguwar Jaji.
“The clinic is an initiative of the Lami Fatima Babare Cervical Cancer Foundation, which was founded in 2020 – in memory of my late wife, Lami Fatima Babare – to provide medical services and referrals to cancer patients,” the letter noted.
The Enugu State Government has announced its intention to revamp the existing infrastructural facilities to give the Enugu State College of Health Technology in Oji River a face-lift and also scale-up institution to a technology-savvy citadel of learning.
The government made this known during a meeting with the management, staff, and students of the institution at the Enugu State Government House at the weekend, stressing its commitment to ensuring quality health service delivery in the state.
The government, which made this known through the Special Adviser on Health Matters, Dr. Yomi Jaye, also asked the students of the institution to go back to school and continue with their academic calendar, as all those involved in the recent breach of security in the school’s neighborhood had been rounded up and now facing the law.
The governor equally gave the college management a two-week ultimatum to develop a workplan, which the government would work on to ensure that the school functions at its optimum level.
Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, Dr. Jaye said, “We interacted with the management, staff and students of the Enugu State College of Health Technology, Orji River, to come up with a strategic plan to revamp the college and restore its lost glory.
His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, has expressed his willingness not only to revamp the school, but to upscale it to a technology-savvy teaching community.
“As you can see, the government is bullish about building Type-2 Healthcare Centre in each of the 260 wards and this college will produce some of the qualified workers that will deliver quality healthcare services to Ndi Enugu.
“We appeal to the parents and guardians to allow the students to go back to school and resume their academic activities as more security personnel have been deployed to make sure that both Oji River and its neighbouring communities are properly secured.
“It is also important to inform you that those who perpetrated the security breach have since been arrested and the victims, which included one student, also freed,” he maintained.
Also speaking, the Provost of the College, Dr. Lazarus Ezugwu, expressed his happiness over the state government’s move to revamp the institution, saying he was optimistic that the glory of the institution would be restored in no distant time.
When commending Governor Peter Mbah and the security agencies for their swift response to the recent security breach at the College, he also confirmed that security had been strengthened around the institution and Oji River in general.
“The meeting is such a commendable one. It goes a long way in telling us the type of visionary leader we have in the state. To be sincere, the total overhaul that will be done in the college is going to be enormous. What is coming to the college cannot be imagined because the governor has shown both special interest and political will. This is what we have been yearning for, for so many years,” Dr. Ezugwu stated.
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