The Lagos private hospital, As Salam Convalescent Centre, located in Iwerekun 1, Ibeju/Lekki, has denied claims that it demanded an upfront payment of N500,000 before offering treatment to a pregnant woman, Kemi, who later died from pregnancy complications.
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Kemi’s grieving husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, made the allegation in a viral video, accusing the hospital of refusing to give medical treatment to his heavily pregnant wife due to his inability to make the upfront payment.
In the video, Kemi, visibly weak, was seen inside a car while her husband desperately tried to keep her conscious.
Calling her name repeatedly, he pleaded, “My goodness! Kemi, look at me. Stay strong; look at me. Think about your kids, please. You need to be forceful for me.”
Folajimi later claimed in a post that after being turned away by the private hospital, they were referred to a general hospital in Epe, where his wife died midway.
He wrote, “The doctor told me to deposit N500,000, and I begged him to start doing whatever was needed to save my wife while I ran around for the money. But they drove us out like they didn’t care.
“Unfortunately, they blindly rejected us and asked me to take her to the General Hospital at Epe, even though the doctor knew that Epe from Lakwe is way too far for her condition. Before we rushed her to Epe, she was gone.”
The emotional video sparked widespread condemnation of the hospital, with sympathisers demanding reforms to hold medical institutions accountable for such alleged neglect.
However, in an exclusive telephone interview with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, the founder of the hospital, Rauf Salami, denied the husband’s accusation.
He stated that contrary to the claims made online, there was never a discussion about money during the brief time the family spent at the hospital.
Salami explained, “On the day in question, a pregnant woman was brought to our centre. My colleague on duty reported that she had convulsed twice at home before arrival. Upon examination, it was clear that she required immediate blood transfusion and surgical attention.
“Given the complexity of the case, we advised the husband to take her to the Epe General Hospital, which is better equipped to handle such emergencies. We did not at any time demand any payment, as we prioritise the patient’s urgent need for specialised care.”
He further clarified that Kemi was neither a registered patient at the hospital nor had she visited the facility before the day.
“We referred her to a more suitable facility immediately after she was brought in, without even transferring her from the wheelchair used to bring her in. Regrettably, the following Monday, I saw a misleading post by the woman’s husband on TikTok, claiming that our facility had rejected his wife.”
Speaking on the backlash, Salami admitted feeling deeply frustrated, saying, “Going by the reactions to what happened, it may frustrate one to the point of contemplating suicide because it was deeply frustrating. But that notwithstanding, people have been telling me to sue him. I could do that because I have my evidence.”
He reiterated that the woman was in critical condition upon arrival and that the hospital lacked the necessary resources to handle her case hence the referral.
“The woman was not registered in the hospital. We didn’t know her. When they brought her in, we discovered it was something we could not handle. If we had given her just one drip that day, she could have died because there was no blood left in her body.
“And to get blood in this medical profession is not something you can just go to the counter and demand. So, we advised him to take her to a facility where she could be properly cared for. They didn’t spend more than three to four minutes before they left,” he added.
Considering her medical state, Salami speculated that Kemi might not have been receiving antenatal care at any hospital before the day she was brought to the hospital.
He said, “I don’t think the woman was registered in any hospital because if she had been receiving treatment during her antenatal period, she wouldn’t have been in that condition. We asked them to go to the general hospital because it was something we could not handle.”
He concluded by saying he had left everything in God’s hands, saying, “I am a Muslim, and whatever comes a Muslim’s way, the best thing to say is ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un’ (Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return).”
Salami added that despite the controversy, he believes the community members who have patronised his hospital will help restore his integrity.
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