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Tragedy and Accusations: Lagos Hospital Denies Rejecting Dying Pregnant Woman Over N500,000 Deposit

Tragedy and Accusations: Lagos Hospital Denies Rejecting Dying Pregnant Woman Over N500,000 Deposit

Lagos, Nigeria – A storm of controversy has erupted following the tragic death of a pregnant woman, Kemi Folajimi, after her husband accused a private hospital in Ibeju-Lekki of refusing to treat her due to his inability to pay an upfront N500,000 deposit.

The grieving husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, made the claim in a heartbreaking viral video that has since sparked outrage across social media. In the footage, Kemi, visibly weak, sat inside a car while her desperate husband pleaded for her to stay strong.

“My goodness! Kemi, look at me. Stay strong; think about your kids, please!” he cried out.

Folajimi later alleged that after being turned away by As Salam Convalescent Centre, they rushed to a general hospital in Epe, but his wife tragically passed away before she could receive treatment.

“The doctor told me to deposit N500,000, and I begged him to start treatment while I ran around for the money. But they drove us out like we were nothing,” he wrote online.

Hospital Founder Fights Back, Denies Allegations

Amid the uproar, Dr. Rauf Salami, founder of As Salam Convalescent Centre, has strongly denied the accusation, calling it a complete misrepresentation of events.

“At no point did we demand any money from the family. The woman arrived in critical condition, having already convulsed twice at home. After examining her, we immediately referred her to Epe General Hospital, which was better equipped to handle her case,” Salami explained.

He further clarified that Kemi was not a registered patient at the facility and had never visited before the day of the incident.

“We did not even transfer her from the wheelchair she was brought in with. Within minutes, we advised the husband to seek urgent help at a bigger hospital. The claim that we refused to treat her over money is completely false.”

Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability

The viral video has led to widespread condemnation of private hospitals allegedly prioritizing money over human life, with many calling for stricter healthcare regulations. Some social media users demanded a full investigation into the incident, arguing that healthcare facilities should not turn away patients in distress, regardless of financial constraints.

Meanwhile, Salami expressed frustration over the backlash, admitting that the controversy had deeply affected him.

“People have even advised me to sue the husband, but I have left everything in God’s hands. My integrity speaks for itself, and those who know our hospital will vouch for us,” he said.

A Systemic Healthcare Failure?

While the blame game continues, some experts have pointed to deeper issues plaguing Nigeria’s healthcare system, including poor emergency response infrastructure, inadequate funding for public hospitals, and the unaffordability of private medical care.

The Federal Ministry of Health has yet to comment on the controversy, but the incident has once again raised critical questions about the accessibility of quality maternal healthcare in Nigeria.

For now, Kemi Folajimi’s death remains a tragic reminder of the life-or-death consequences tied to Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system.

Sahara Weekly

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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