The management of As Salam Convalescent Centre, a private hospital located in Iwerekun 1, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, has denied allegations that it requested a deposit of N500,000 before attending to a pregnant woman, Kemi Folajimi, who later died from pregnancy-related complications.
The woman’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, had accused the hospital in a viral video of refusing to treat his wife because he couldn’t immediately provide the amount allegedly demanded.
The heartbreaking video showed the expectant mother in a critical condition inside a car, while her husband begged her to hold on.
In a social media post, Folajimi alleged that after being turned away by the hospital, they were referred to the Epe General Hospital, where his wife died before they could receive help.
“The doctor told me to deposit N500,000. I begged him to start treatment while I ran around for the money, but they pushed us away. We rushed to Epe, but she didn’t make it,” he said.
The viral video triggered outrage online, with many Nigerians condemning the hospital for alleged medical neglect and demanding justice.
However, in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro, the hospital’s founder, Rauf Salami, refuted the claim, insisting that no financial discussion ever occurred.
According to Salami, the woman was brought in after having convulsed twice at home, and upon quick examination, it was determined that she required urgent blood transfusion and surgical intervention—services the hospital was not equipped to provide.
“She wasn’t a registered patient, and it was her first time at our facility. She was brought in on a wheelchair, and after assessing her condition, we referred them immediately to the General Hospital in Epe. They didn’t spend more than three or four minutes with us,” Salami said.
He emphasized that the hospital did not reject the patient for lack of payment but referred her for specialised care due to the severity of her condition and limited resources at their disposal.
“If we had administered even a drip, she might have died in our facility because there was no blood in her system,” he added.
Salami also questioned whether Kemi had received proper antenatal care prior to the emergency, suggesting that her condition pointed to a possible lack of medical attention during pregnancy.
He expressed deep frustration over the public backlash, saying, “The whole situation is deeply painful. Some have urged me to take legal action, and I could, because I have evidence. But I leave everything in God’s hands.”
Despite the controversy, Salami believes his hospital’s reputation among the local community will help restore trust.
