Lagos State Government Reacts As Family Of 3-Year-Old Boy Cries Out For Justice Over Sons Death In Childcare Centre, Lekki
The Lagos State Government has commenced full investigations into the death of a 3-year-old boy at Eti-Osa Maternal and Childcare Centre, Lekki-Ajah, due to alleged negligence.
David Nwogu died on Friday, September 23, 2022, while undergoing medical treatment at the facility.
His mother, Loveth Nwogu, said her son had Nasal Congestion and she took him to the hospital for proper treatment.
According to her, the first night he was treated and given an injection, her child vomited and emptied his stomach before sleeping off. She alleged that the second time was what killed him.
In a video the boy’s father made immediately after he died, Mr Nwogu accused the hospital of negligence and misconduct.
He called out the medical staff for going ahead to report the incident at the Ogombo Police Station, Ajah without first explaining what led to the death of his son.
He narrated:
“Look at my son that I brought to hospital alive. The guy was healthy this morning until the nurse came and injected him four times.
“I even tried to explain to her that this guy has not eaten and moreover that last night when she administered the same drug to him, the drug overreacted that made him throw up (vomit) all that he ate throughout yesterday.
“That she should hold on, let me give my son food before they will give him the drug so that he will have energy, but the nurse refused.
“Immediately she gave my son four full strings, she didn’t even remove her hands, my son gave up the ghost.
“She ran away, the doctor on duty ran away, nobody to explain. I was trying to at least understand what happened, but they abandoned my son and everybody ran away.
“Nobody could explain anything to us. At a point, I went to the police station here at Ogombo.
“This thing is happening at MCC, Ogombo Road, Lagos State, but before I could even get to the police station, they had reported the matter to the police.
“The DPO has the information regarding my son’s death, while I as the father that was in the hospital don’t have any information.
“I was running around the doctors to see who could explain to me what happened because this guy was active just now.
“He did not stay up to five minutes after he was given the injection that my son died. He just shouted: ‘Daddy, my heart,’ and died.
“What they were telling me is autopsy. But what happened here?
“What went wrong?
“Nobody could explain to me.
“I need help.
“I need an explanation of what they did to my son.
“Please Nigerians help me, human rights lawyers, help me. They have already started asking me where I am from.
“Is this how Nigeria is? Is this how this state is? A state that I pay tax and they are already asking me where I am from.
“Does that determine who will live and who will die?
“Please help me.
“This is the only son I have.”
Reacting, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a statement issued on Wednesday September 28, 2022, expressed condolences to the bereaved family, promising to conduct full investigations into the allegation.
The statement read:
“The attention of Lagos State Ministry of Health has been drawn to a news report in the Guardian Newspaper of Sunday, September 25, 2022 titled, ‘Family of Three-Year Old Boy who Died in Lagos Hospital Demand Justice’; wherein it was reported that a three-year old child died of negligence and misconduct at one of the Lagos State Government owned secondary care facilities, the Eti-Osa Maternal and Childcare Centre, Lekki-Ajah.
“I would like to first and foremost express my heartfelt condolence to the family of the deceased and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed. The incident which occurred between Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th September, 2022 is rather unfortunate, and sad.
“However, for the avoidance of doubt, it is pertinent to note that the management of the facility had also officially reported the incident to the Ministry while investigation into the allegation and the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident has since commenced at the facility level.
“In the same vein, I have also requested an independent investigation into the incident. Our investigation will include an autopsy, a review of medical records of the patient and additional documents, enquiries from medical staff who attended to the deceased, and the parents of the child.
“Without pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing investigation, I would like to state that this is a Coroner’s inquest case, which is why an autopsy has been requested to determine the actual cause of death.
“I, therefore, sue for calm and assure members of the public of our commitment to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into the incident, and make available the outcome of the investigation.
“Our resolve to halt avoidable deaths of neonates, infants and children is unshaken. We will continue to vigorously implement policies and strategies geared toward preventing and halting maternal and child mortality in the centre of excellence.
“Once again, I commiserate with the family of the deceased and request their full cooperation whenever they are called upon in the course of the investigation.”