Doctors in PH hospital refuse to treat pregnant woman over N20K | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Sunday 2 December 2012

Doctors in PH hospital refuse to treat pregnant woman over N20K

A pregnant Nigerian lady has died because doctors in Port Harcourt insisted the husband must pay N20,000, less than $150, before she was treated. And her family members are still in shock about her death, such that they are not even thinking of burying her for now.

The 34 year old woman, Ijeoma Umumadumere, nee Ahamefule, (pictured above) was rushed in the morning of 25 November to Garrison Clinic in Port Harcourt, when she complained of a sudden stomach pain and headache, while cooking. Her husband rushed her to the clinic on Udom street in the oil rich city. It was between 9-10 a.m. And she was five-months pregnant.

But doctors and nurses would not attend to the pregnant woman because the husband only had N5,000 on him, instead of the N20,000 being demanded, as a precondition for treatment. Even the N5,000 the man had on him had been used to offset registration and other costs.



Her brother, based in Austria could not understand why doctors in a Nigerian hospital could have so callously and uncaringly treated the woman, pregnant with her first child. As he put it:
“Her husband begged the doctor and the nurses to attend to her since they had collected about N5, 000 he had in his pocket in the name of registration and other little things while he would go home and bring money. He had also told them that because of the nature of the emergency and the way his wife had been shouting while on the ground that his mind had only been pre-occupied with the thoughts of rushing her to any nearby hospital and had not thought of money or any other thing as he had even forgotten to put on shoes, but all his pleading and explanations to the doctor and the nurses had fallen onto deaf ears. With her pains increasing and death knocking and the doctor and the nurses refusing to understand, there was no way he could have left her there unattended, to go home and bring money. He took her and headed to another hospital, but unfortunately my sister did not make it as the damage had already been done before the doctors in that second hospital could do something reasonable to save her life.”

“What a country, what a failure and what a loss! This is a sad story of the sorry state of the Nigerian health policy, how Nigerians are heartlessly and carelessly neglected because of money by doctors and nurses to die in hospitals, and how I lost my sister to a failed system,”wrote Uzoma Ahamefule, based in Austria.

Many hospitals in Nigeria, both private and public, are in the habit of asking for pre-payment from patients, even when the case is an emergency.

Source:  PM News

73 comments:

Anonymous said...

Seriously...

Moi Moi said...

May the Lord help our Healthcare system
The whole system is just not humane

Choosing money over human life...

May she rest in the bosom of the Lord..

annonymous said...

May her soul rest in Peace..nd God hve mercy on our country..

Anonymous said...

Really Linda Doctors in Portharcourt..The doctors in portharcourt came together and decided to kill the lady..I tire for u seriously..RIP lady..its really sad..

Anonymous said...

E be like film! I swear that country is doomed! The people that live there should find a way and come out!

Anonymous said...

Linda pls pls pls jst stop abeg! D woman was already dying n it wsnt bcos of d 20k, and btw, are d hospitals running a charity organization? Dey also need funds to run dier daily operations, humans r heartless, I'm sure if dey treated her, he wud neva hv brought d money, I've seen cases in my clinic whr dey treat pple n dey promise to come bak n pay, n u'l neva see sillyazz again. May her soul RIP. Really sad.

★★PRINCE CHARMING™★★ said...

How sad! What a big loss, this are some of the cases that should make all our politicians and legislators move towards having a competent health insurance scheme like those run in Canada, with that's occurrences like this will be reduced to a very small margin.

Unknown said...

Quite pathetic. I term dis 'wickedness'! Rip ma n d unborn child

BLOGLORD said...

can u just imagine???? on top 20k? ordinary 20k! two lives wasted. they ought to revoke the license of the doctor and nurses. that's the height of negligence. am seriously considering relocating for good. am sick and tired of all the negativity that comes with Nigeria.

Kunle said...

I was shocked and sad when i first read this on facebook. Really barbaric for the medical staff watching the woman wailing in pains. At least the husband paid some bills and he is not the type that will skip with their money. By the way, so sad just a token amount. Medical centers who practice such act should brace up. Everything shouldn't be about money but give room some charity as well. Also, the issue of police report should be dealt with cos lot of innocent lives have been lost as a result of that.Want a flat belly, burn fat from part or entire body, eat right for healthy sake and maintaining your body shape with fitness.Visit this website to learn more http://bit.ly/fitnessandweightlossreport

Anonymous said...

I really dnt understnd dis country God help us

Anonymous said...

Dis is яiÌi sad,wot has this country turned into? Smh..........

Anonymous said...

Odi egwu o! *amrra*

Anonymous said...

This is wickedness of the highest order. The doctors and nurses of that so called Garrison clinic will find themselves in such situation too, where they will need help and nobody will help. May her sould RIP.

Unknown said...

Linda... Failed Nigeria healthcare system indeed...... It's truly sad go to UBTH with ur money they still won't attend to you.....mExcept yu knw someone dt knows smeone before u can get medical attention... Quote me..... We re jst existing in this nation...... While busy bodies hate on yur struggle

Eya Ayambem said...

This is bad;(

omotayo said...

Oct 17 2004, I lost my mum as well cos Drs Ɣ Nurses on duty @ the General Hosp Lagos refused 2 treat her despite it was an emergency.
Me--(running in) excuse me excuse me, there's an emergency, my mum is in the car, need emergency treatment.
Nurse (sittin down relaxing) what shld I do? No stretcher no bed.
Me -- pls come and see her @ least even if its 2 attend 2 her in the car
Nurse -- (non challant) how can you tell me that.
To cut the long story short she gave up in the car.

Awele said...

Dats so unfair,wat a world we r leavin in.

Anonymous said...

LET THE FAMILY SUE THE BASTARDS!!!

Anonymous said...

If it had bin an acident victim,I'd b even more undastnable cos dey'll b askin 4 a police report bt jst cos ☀̈f money,nd hw afforable 4 d lady's family sef!nw a young lady,probably newly wedded cos its her 1st pregnancy,jst died.seriously,if I were d husband,I'd sue d hospital.2 hell wit deir policy.tot dey usuali swear an oath dat lives cums 1st?Nigeria Ȋ̝̊̅§ turnin in2 sumtin else entirely.God help us nd may her soul rest in peace nd may God grant d her family d fortitude 2 bear dis tragic loss nd may He also forgive dose doctors nd nurses.Lilybabe

Anonymous said...

o.m.g. Wat a country, may God help us and may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.. AMEN

Anonymous said...

D system is just not organised. Hospitals demand deposits bcos patients run away after treatment most of the time especially in public clinics. Sad

June said...

So Sad. That Nigeria health policy for us. ​¶ almost cried, God's aware anyway. ​¶ pray God console τ̣̣ђё husband and rest of τ̣̣ђё Family

lovelylady said...

Omotayo so sorry.I'm a doc,did my housejob in tteaching hosp and ur description of events is so true.sorry

Anonymous said...

Hmmm..lets face it this woman's husbands negligence, lack of prioritization and stubbornness led to the woman's demise. Who walks into a private hospital with 5,000 naira? If he said he didn't have the money, I'd be sad...but the according to the man, he said he had money at home YET he stayed back when he could have either ran home or call someone to bring money to the hospital. After wasting his 5,000 and everyone's time at the hospital that made it clear they needed money to treat his wife, what did he do next? He decided to move his wife to another hospital. To me that tells me the guy was either lying that he had money at home or he was just an obstinate man who despite having money at home, wanted to prove a point that his wife should be treated first before he goes to get money. Agidi is what this reeks of. Lets blame the hospital of course but let's also blame the fool who walked into a private hospital expecting manna from heaven

Queen Bee said...

Eeya,
Sorry about dat!!
And a million others like this one,happen every second esp in our part of world!!........Hippocrates the father of western medicine weeps in his grave now,cos dis is not part of the oat......so sad!!

Unknown said...

It's unfair! Because of 20thousand we lost a life that's more than that. Where're we helding to in this nation's of you and I?

lynnpope$ said...

Very misleading caption indeed. Guess d hospital asked her husband to register for antenatal so a gynaecologist can see her coz with 5months pregnancy, ordinary doctors can't treat her. Lesson for all, when pregnant, register in at least 2 hospitals, one very close to ur use or place of business. U never know when an emergency may arise. Hospitals everywhere don't just rush in to treat pregnant women coz they are high risk. If they had started treatment & she died, they 'll be sued even though they weren't paid..2 bad we don't have medical insurance in 9ja

Anonymous said...

U r very correct. As in, so on point, cos I know some pple here digest news one way, instead of seeing other sides to it. He even had d time to take her to anoder clinic instead of rushing bak home to get some money(that is if he truly had any at home) now he's trying to blame d doctors. And btw I hate d fact that linda typed d name of d clinic in bold! I wonda d kinda message she's tryna pass on. Smh for u linda.

ary said...

In a country where politician earn an obscene amount of money doing nothing, it is a shame that the average Nigerian does not have at least a minimum of 100,000 medical insurance. Sometimes I don't blame the doctors, especially the private clinics, how are the supposed to recoup their losses after they treat a patient who can not pay?! It's a sad situation, given that in medical school, one is suppose to treat a patient in need at all cost.
I think the family of the deceased should sue their asses. And it's about time we Nigerians demanded more, like Oliver Twist

Anonymous said...

Please people, let us not be too quick to blame the doctors or the nurses in the hospital.From what I see the womans condition sounds like a typical case of Severe/Fulminant Pre eclampsia with HELLP syndrome, this is a very bad case on its own, N20,000 or no N20,000, with very bad prognosis for both mother and child given the history of her age at first pregnancy,being in her 2nd trimester, the severe headache and stomach pain( doctors will understand what I'm talking about )

Also the Nigerian factor too if we had some form of health insurance all these wouldn't be an issue

That being said it is a very sad situation, I can only imagine the pain of the family members. May God help us in this country
May her soul rest in peace. Amen

Anonymous said...

wat??? Nd even if d guy does not av money is dat y d so called doctors n nurses wil leav d poor woman 2 die lyk dat??can dis appen in civilise countries??so pple in nnaija cn nw die coz of 20k??4 pple wer burnt d oda day near ph nw dis devilish hospital again??nt even sure if is humanns dat work der or vampires..RIP mama n unborn child..i kn God wil interven in all dis injustice somday..smh.

Anonymous said...

I all most lost my Mum and my brother 2003, at BMH Port harcourt, all because of deposit. God help our leaders

Anonymous said...

Healthcare again! See what limited resources do to people who have taken an oath to save lives

Anonymous said...

what in God's name has happened to the hippocratic oath? Or do Nigerian doctors dont take it? Wont be surprised! Shame on that clinic

o'grin said...

Now tell me "who is to blame" nigeria govt, hospital mgt or the doctor? I tik we nid REVOLUTION...!!!

Anonymous said...

evry1 is busy calin doctors nd nurses name, its nt their fault. Pple ar wicked 2, i cld rem wen i was doin my clinical hospital experience, a pregant woman was brought in2 d labour room, she was ask 2 deposit 10k, she says she had no money wit her, we ask her abt her husbnd, she says he traveld 2 lagos. Nurses rfuses 2 attend 2 her, she was in pain. I left d hospital went 2 my hostel nd collectd 8k nd sign 4 d woman 2 deliverd her baby, 2 cut it short dis woman escaped 4rm d hospital wit her baby 2days afta delivery witout tnk u. I endd up payin d remainin 2k.

Anonymous said...

wat do u mean by d woman was already dying?..So 20k is wat dey need for daily operations over a life.Its d doctors n nurses dat re heartless n by d way u can't sue a clinic if smone dies cos u wld sign for either life or death..Its pple like u dat we dnt need as doctors....#i hiss till it gets to china#

Anonymous said...

Sweetheart, u don't sound sad at all. Infact u sound like "good for her! Lesson for her type". You must be particularly wicked and from the way u sound you are so very capable of doing even worse. May God have mercy on you.
Ify

Anonymous said...

So coz he had only 5k on him, it serves him well dat his wife shld die? Even after collectin d 5k 4rm him, d least d docs culd av done was 2 commence treatment nd treathen 2 stp if d man does nt provide d rest of d money, nd nt collect d 5k 4rm d poor man nd still yarn dust. Nd BTW sum pple collect 5k as deir monthly salary! So coz u ar so boxed up doesn't mean u shld jst run ur mouth nd vomit nonsense!

Anonymous said...

Sorry 4 asking,is that how dey do abroad? Placing money b4 human life..we no dey everly copy better tin

Anonymous said...

Well said!

Anonymous said...

My thoughts exactly!!!!

Anonymous said...

Imagine that! Sorry o! Few bad eggs spoil the entire crate of good eggs..!

Jay O said...

I'm a US physician and this is what I like about the US. A woman at 5mths who is pregnant has an emergency, they can call 911, and end up at the closest ER. Automatically labor and delivery is on the case, fetal monitoring starts, ABCDs(airway/breathing/circulation) are done, ultrasound is done.
There are standards, and yes US health care is extremely expensive but at least it gives the person a fighting chance at life regardless of who they are!

Yes at 5mths, the fetus was not viable, but the mother's life could have been saved.

My problem with Nigeria, is that anyone can set up a Clinic or hospital, anyone! I can fly into Naija today and set up my "Jay O Clinic/Hospital", so we have a lot of little huts masquerading as medical facilities, with no real equipments or anything.

To those blaming the husband, if that was you, trust me, you will not be in the right frame of mind to remember how much is in your pocket. Why didnt the hospital ask for his car keys to hold as payment, so he can find transportation back home to get the money.

An emergency is an emergency, every sec is important!!! The time spent arguing is time taking away from any chance of survival.

To Naija doctors, who say that bills need to be paid, I say if your own child is in pain and bleeding, and another Dr does the same thing, would you still agree?? Its easy to talk, and talk, and talk, when it doesnt personally affect you. I hope everyone involved slept well that night. That is the thing with people, we talk and talk, but when it hits home, all of a sudden we change the tone of our voice. Do unto others as you would want them to do to you. Now I'm not saying every hospital should take in patients for free, but in an emergency situation, money should not be an issue.

Jay O said...

@Anon who mentioned HELLP syndrome, please maternal mortality from HELLP is like 1% in the US, whats it in naija, 100%??? Come on, we have to do better, rather than coming up with excuses! Yes fetus was not viable at the time, then again 5mths could also mean 23 weeks, and here in the US, they would still attempt delivery, and there is then the option of sending to the NICU. Of course this ill equipped Clinic, has nothing like that, shoot how many NICUs do we have in naija sef? How many perinatologists and neonatologists do we have in naija?

If anything at least the mother's life could have been saved. Its God that saves in Nigeria, anyone counting on the health care system is on a lonhg thing! No standards! No guidelines! No regulations!

Anonymous said...

This is a very pathetic situation, may her soul and the souls of those who have departed as a result of similar circumstances RIP.

Now to the crux of the matter.

1stly, From the history given in this write up, this woman was having a "low lying" placenta. Which in simple terms means the placenta is near the cervix and therefore close to the vagina.
This can be detected on routine ultra sound scan!
Her presentation @ the clinic is similar to what was jokingly coined by 1 of my professors as the "boxers and wrapper presentation", whereby a man rushes his wife to the hospital both scantily dressed because the woman started bleeding shortly after a bout of coitus (sex).
Medical Advice:
Women with low lying placenta shouldn't have sex during pregnancy; they aren't to be stressed; and are usually placed on prolonged bed rest to avoid stories like this!
If she had a proper ante-natal care she should have been told that and communicated it to her hubby.
Was this done???

2ndly,time of presentation was clearly stated but estimated time of death wasn't. Her hubby said he rushed her to the nearest clinic.
Medical Advise:
Ante-natal care is to be carried out as close to home as possible! Not exactly some 9ce place where your friends go to!!!
If she registered @ this "nearest clinic" the management of the hospital would have considered her case as per "booked (registered) patient".
Since this clinic refused to attend to her why didn't he take her somewhere else rather than waste time begging???
The Amaechi administration has developed primary health centres located all over the garden city landscape.
SPDC even runs one of them @ rumubiakani and it offers free ante-natal care even ceaserians!!!

3rdly fellow Nigerians, private hospitals aren't charity centres/NGOs, they are businesses of which the owner has to employ and pay staff and most likely has dependents.
On this background and with common knowledge of how many Nigerian patients express ingratitude for such selfish acts, the said clinic acted the way it did.

Finally brethren, when next you have the opportunity to vote, vote right.

Anonymous said...

Anon 7.19 said d truth sha. Most 9jarians r so dubious... Dhz y docs can't trust em no more. I kno some hospitals dah crashed becoz of laid-up bills by patients. In d end, errybody will shout "poor management". Itz not fair!
Dese hospitals nid money to pay dia staff, provide more drugs & guarantee quality service.
Let us pray we do not experience dis kinda issue.
we should live in truth 'n' love. It begins wif you & me #Jade Said#

Anonymous said...

Na wa o! Its sad a life was lost but really u can't blame d doctors n nurses! The 5k was probably used as registration fee n its a private clinic so definitely d husband shld know 5k won't be enough n was d wife receiving her antenatal care at dt hospital? And what if d 20k demanded is to be used to buy drugs for d woman? Are d docs/nurses supposed to use their money to buy d drugs? A doctor dt probably earns 50k monthly(private clinics don't pay dt well) or is it d nurse dt earns 20k dt shld pay! In civilized society d doctors re not bn frustrated by d system like they are here in naija. Rather than blame d health workers we shld blame our leaders for embezzling public funds dts meant to be used to cater for d needs of its citizens

Anonymous said...

left to me the "hospital" should be sued....when they are done paying damages they would know better than to treat patients that way.

Anthony Obi said...

Firstly this is a sad tragic story with that out of the way consider this.

1. 5 months pregnant. Surely she would have already pre-registered at a hospital where she would have "already" been receiving Natal-care and advise. Is this the first trip to hospital?? At 5months pregnant??

2. The husband was either broke or negligent or both.There's no crime here just unfortunate.

3.Nigeria is a 3rd world country,things like this will continue to happen,till things are organised in a couple of generations time. It's with good reason most Nigerian want out of the wretched country!!

Anonymous said...

Shoot the doctor, nurses to hell. May her soul rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

There is simply no excuse for placing money before human life! An emergency is an emergency! All those questioning why †ђξ man didn't go back home for more money, I hope you don't find yourself in such a situation. †ђξ government needs to look into attitudes of medical staff in Nigeria.

They are entrusted with human lives, yet they work without zeal and compassion for clients. They go on strike and leave patients to die! They are nonchalant towards emergency situations. Infact, the entire practice is shabby and this is worrisome!

baba said...

Linda ur subject isn't right nah...abi you wan turn ur blog to some of our very local dailies...? Its a very sad story, but hope u verified this before blogging? Nevertheless may her soul, and that of her unborn child, rest in peace.
For our medical practioners: Regardless the situation, when u choose the medical profession; doctors, nurses and co, should know that health comes first before anything.

Anonymous said...

i was left unattended @ a govt hospital when i was pregnant and in labor for a whole day.it got to a point i thought i was going to die cos the baby has excreated twice into the womb .my husby had to rush me to the second hospital(registered in three places)where i gave birth to my baby in less than 40mins after getting there. its sad really.during my antenatal,i heard sureal stories of how pregnant women die for just no reason.

Anonymous said...

Lynnpop after reading ur comment I thnk I shld jst stop cos so far u r d only one wu has made sense.a pregnant woman wit no medical history,infact u've said it all.Anny

Unknown said...

Eyaaaahhh!!! RIP

Anonymous said...

Nigerian doctors studies medcine for 7yrs nd they still don't know the meaning of emergency.... SMH for this wicked country... Dats why we never movve forward. We her our greatest enemie. May d d unborn baby nnd d woman RIP.

Anonymous said...

It is pure wickedness, how much is 20k, this is a human being we talking about o, a pregnant woman for that matter. My father is a Doctor and he can NEVER do something like that, what he can do is start treatment but tell them he'll discontinue if they don't bring the remaining money within reasonable stipulated time, at least, save the person's life first! Even if some people don't end up paying or they beg u until u reduce the bill for them. Lets remember God in everything we do, they have no justification for not treating the woman!

***Lush said...

Linda,

Use your status to re-define healthcare in Nigeria. You have taken the time to highlight the plight of Nigerian citizens living in a country without the most basic form of healthcare.

I think other than saying "Help raise money!" & "Donate!" one case after the other, you should sit down and consider how to change the system.

Even if it is only for one small community...



***Lush

susie said...

People are wicked though, but experience they say is d best teacher. Maybe the hospital has had such exprience of patience refusing to pay up after treatment. May her soul rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

†ђξ hospital should be mention so as to save other pple that plans to go their cos ɑ̤̈s far as am concern †ђξ hospital needs to be shot down for sometime.what wickedness?what is 20k compared to someones life,he forgot that such tin can actually happen to anyone even †ђξ richest can go brook one day!its sad!may her soul rest in peace Amen!

sleekreek said...

@Annon Dec 2 ,7:19pm.......u sound so heartless and very wicked and u have no regards for human life,,,,yes i agree dat hospitals/clinics are not charity organizations but i guess u have forgotten that the number one rule of medicine is to do everything u can to save life,,,,,now dat the woman and the unborn child died,,,it shows how nice and professional they are,,right???what they should have done was to attend to her to at least save her life and dat of the unborn child after which they will refuse to discharge her until the bills are settled........its so pathetic!!!

Anonymous said...

That's so kind of you, pls don't regret that action, because for that single act of kindness am sure God has blessed you. You might not know it. Am like you and I always get my fingers burnt but I will never give up on humanity or Nigeria for the sake of my kids and theirs and future generations to come.

Anonymous said...

Thank you v.much...!!...uv sd it all...nigerianz lyk to spit nonsense frm dia mouthz esp wen it doznt affect dem in anyway...buh if it wia dia relative..story go change...RIP to d poor woman..

nella said...

Anonymous 8:13 PM Don't be silly...when my dad had a stroke and we rushed him to a hospital, we didn't have the 10k registration fee that was requested. A good Samaritan at the hospital paid it before my cousin could run back to get his atm card... it can happen to you especially if it's your first time to be in that situation...

Yvonne said...

It happens all the time, am a witness. Do you guys remember 1995-96 cholera outbreak in Lagos? My mum and I were rushed to Tolu Medical Centre in Olodi, Apapa. But they refused treating us cos our money was not complete. My popsi left us there at the reception and rushed to collect money from friends. I thank God we both Survived!

wonderman said...

If you think the doctors did no wrong, then why are you complaining that the name of the hospital was mentioned.

Anonymous said...

Blame ur government for chopping all the money and not providing good health care structure. Blame them and do not blame the hospital or the staff there. Those people have mouths to feed, bills to pay. They do not walk into a store and get a discount cos they are doctors, nurses etc. There are a lot of logistics that were not mentioned. The media just sensationalize these things and ofcourse the husband wants to blame someone.

Anonymous said...

The woman probably would not have lived even if she was treated. But the husband wants to put the blame on someone else and gain public sympathy.

Anonymous said...

Fuck off nigga...

Anonymous said...

I get pissed when I hear pple justify things like this, how can a human being sit and watch a pregnant woman groan in so much pain, knowing that this could kill; which it eventually did. What will it cost a doctor to take a look at her. What are they trying to prove.

Anonymous said...

@anonymous 8:13,December 2(loolx).y re u blamin d husband 4 negligence??are u sure u read d article properly?..dey sed d man 4got 2 wear his shoes!..hw does dat spell negligence on his part?..is d man not meant 2 take his wife 2 d hospital & ensure she's bin fully taken care of b4 disappearin 2 bring d moni?..is it not his wife & 1st child dat we re talkn about?hw much is 20,000 compared 2 d lives of 2 pipl??..pls,n my opinion,d people @ d hospital re 2 blame!..save dier lives 1st b4 u talk of moni.@ list stabilise d woman 1st!..weda dey run away or not,dat's nt d issue!..even if u don't av mercy 4 d woman,but d fact dat she's pregnant???...she wasn't even due 4 delivery,so wot were dey afraid of?I don't want 2 b 2 judgemental, but ol I know is dat God is d rewarder & punisher of ol, nt humans.Do u rememba dis bible verse:'is it lawful 2 do good on d Sabbath?'.peace!

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