Nigeria’s House of Representatives summoned the Management of the Maitama General Hospital following the petition filed by Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Abuja, over the avoidable death of a Nigerian youth, Ms Greatness Olorunfemi.
The hearing took place during House of Reps Public Petitions Committee hearing on Wednesday, February 28, chaired by Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba.
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Abuja, filed the petition against the Chief Medical Director and Management of Maitama General Hospital, over the unethical, inhumane and unwarranted refusal, negligence and outright denial of treatment to a one-chance victim and member of YALI named Greatness Olorunfemi, leading to her avoidable death in September 2023.
Both the petitioners and respondents were present during the hearing session on Wednesday.
The petitioners as representatives of Nigerian youths, seek justice and call upon Federal Government to stop all hospitals from asking for Police Report before attending to any accident victim. “It has really caused untimely death of many citizens”, they stated.
According to spokesman of the petitioners, on 26th October, 2023, Ms Greatness was a victim of one-chance within the Federal Capital Territory. She was beaten, stabbed and pushed out of a moving vehicle.
She was luckily taken to Maitama General Hospital by good Samaritans. But unfortunately, the Management of the hospital refused to attend to her. They delayed for over 20 minutes and unprofessionally refused to even listen to the good Samaritans who brought her to the hospital. After the first 20 minutes, a nurse came out to ask for Police Report. She left and abandoned them, as the Management shut all doors.
Unfortunately, Greatness lost her life at the end, with no treatment administered on her.
The petitioners therefore, pray for the following:
(1) That every medical personnel involved in the ill act, should be re-examined to know their competence and mental capability.
(2) There should be public apology from the Management of Maitama General Hospital.
(3) There should also be public announcement, that no hospital should delay to attend any accident victim and there should be no request of Police Report in any way.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, Rt Hon. Etaba, it is only when the Management of the hospital is officially found guilty, that it will be asked for any apology. Therefore, the Committee decided to involve Inspector General of Police for proper investigation on the matter.
The matter was adjourned to 20th March, 2024, for Inspector General of Police to properly investigate the case, in order to get justice for the victim, her family and the YALI family.
