The Federal Government has announced its intention to take legal action against Maitama General Hospital over the death of ‘one-chance’ victim, Greatness Olorunfemi.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, made this known in a press conference held earlier today.
The decision follows an investigation into allegations of negligence and refusal to treat Miss Greatness Olorunfemi by the hospital before her death.
The minister stated that a pre-action letter would be sent to some staff on duty and management at the hospital.
She expressed that a pre-action letter would be dispatched to the hospital staff responsible for the alleged negligence and refusal to treat Ms. Olorunfemi before her demise.
The letter targets those on duty that day, including the medical director and chief matron of the accident and emergency department. The objective is to hold them accountable through legal action, serving as a deterrent for others.
The minister emphasized that they have already drafted the pre-action letter, notifying the staff of their intention to take them to court. A seven-day deadline has been set for their response.
They plan to escalate the matter by involving the Public Complaints Committee at the National Assembly. This committee will not only summon the individuals in question but also call upon all hospital CMDs in FCT and beyond to address these issues comprehensively. The urgency stems from the need to prevent further careless loss of life among Nigerians.
The Minister noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs, represented by the minister, will advocate for justice on behalf of Ms. Olorunfemi and all Nigerian women and girls who face mistreatment in healthcare settings.
Despite being added to the investigation panel following Ms. Olorunfemi’s passing, they await an official letter confirming their involvement.
The minister also called for a thorough review of the hospital’s procedures and protocols to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. She urged other health institutions in the country to learn from this incident and prioritize patient care above all else.