In fulfillment of an earlier resolve, the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye has said that the incident involving a lady, Miss Great Olorunfemi who was alleged to have been denied medical attention at the Maitama General Hospital after being pushed out of a moving vehicle by a “one chance” syndicate in the FCT, cannot be swept under the carpet.
Giving this assurance during a surprise visit to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Hospital, the Minister said “ this matter cannot be swept under the carpet because this has been a pattern in most hospitals where injured or sick persons are denied urgent medical attention which results to deaths. Women and children’s lives must be protected at all cost, that lady was not only somebody’s daughter or relative but a citizen of Nigeria whose fundamental human rights should have been protected” she added.
However, the Matron in charge of the Accident and Emergency Unit, Mrs. Habiba Musa stated that the lady was brought in dead and was not denied medical attention by the Nurses on 26th September, 2023 adding that her pulses were not active when she was brought to the hospital on that fateful day.
At this juncture, the Minister who was not convinced by the explanations, requested to see the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Igbinovia Imuentien but he was reported to have gone out for a meeting. The Minister was told that an investigative panel was seating at the Health Secretariat and she swiftly moved to the venue where the FCT Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe informed her that an Independent Investigative Panel was set up for a thorough investigation of the incident.
According to her, the panel consists of Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Council of Nurses and other bodies with the terms of reference which include investigating the remote and immediate causes of the tragic death of the lady.
At the Minister’s insistence, the Mandate Secretary formally included the Youth Council of Nigeria on the panel membership and also announced that the Minister will preside over another internally constituted panel that will also look into the tragic death of Miss Great Olorunfemi.
The Minister addressed the panelists and commended the Mandate Secretary for the initiative and reiterated that “ it is high time Nigerians started doing things the proper way including regard for sanctity of human lives by the paramedics who should strive to save lives of injured or sick persons at the first instance because human life is paramount and must be protected’ she concluded.
It will be recalled that Miss Great Olorunfemi was on 26th September, 2023 reportedly pushed out of a moving car believed to be a “one chance” car popularly known for robbing unsuspecting passengers of their valuables.
She was reported to have sustained injuries and was rushed to the Maitama General Hospital for medical treatment but was not attended to due to non- availability of Police report but later died.
Ohaeri Osondu Joseph, Fnipr, Fcai
Special Adviser, Media
