Hospital Breaks Silence Over Viral Death Claim

As public anger continues to mount over the tragic death of a pregnant woman in Lagos, the management of As Salam Convalescent Centre in Ibeju-Lekki has strongly denied claims that it demanded a N500,000 deposit before offering treatment.

The heartbreaking story went viral after the woman’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, posted a video accusing the private hospital of refusing to attend to his critically ill wife, Kemi Folajimi, because he couldn’t immediately produce the alleged sum. The video, which showed Kemi struggling for life inside a car while her husband pleaded with her to hold on, sparked widespread condemnation online.

In the video, Akinbobola alleged that they were referred to Epe General Hospital only after his pleas were ignored—and sadly, his wife died before receiving medical attention there.

But in a rebuttal issued through a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro, the hospital’s founder, Rauf Salami, maintained that the hospital never asked for money and had no conversation about payment whatsoever.

“She was brought in on a wheelchair, already in critical condition after suffering two convulsions at home. We quickly assessed her and saw that she needed urgent surgical care and a blood transfusion—services we don’t offer here. So, we referred them immediately to the General Hospital in Epe,” Salami explained, adding that the entire encounter lasted no more than four minutes.

Salami emphasized that the patient wasn’t rejected due to financial reasons, but rather due to the facility’s limitations. “If we had administered a drip, she might have died right there. She had no blood left in her system,” he stated.

He also questioned whether the late Kemi had received proper prenatal care, pointing to the severity of her condition as a possible result of neglect during pregnancy.

Distressed by the public backlash, Salami said he has been advised to pursue legal action to clear the hospital’s name but has chosen to leave the matter in God’s hands. “It’s painful, but I believe our track record with the community will eventually speak for us,” he concluded.

While investigations into the incident are still ongoing, Nigerians continue to call for more accountability and improved emergency care access in the country’s healthcare system.

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