LAGOS STATE TO CONDUCT AUTOPSY INTO DEATH OF 3-YEAR-OLD BOY IN VIRAL VIDEO

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By Adeola Abdullah

The Lagos State Government has stated that it will conduct an autopsy into the death of 3-year-old boy who died at the Lagos State Government owned secondary care facilities, the Eti-Osa Maternal and Childcare Centre, Lekki-Ajah.

This was stated in a press release signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.

He said “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.”

In a newdpaper report, the mother, Loveth Nwogu said her son had Nasal Congestion and she decided to take him to the hospital for proper treatment before resuming school on Monday.

According to her, the first night he was treated and given an injection, her bubbly child vomited and emptied his stomach before sleeping off. The second time was what took his life.”

She said the doctor and nurse who injected the child are nowhere to be found since the incident occurred.

She added that while the family was still trying to comprehend what had just happened to their son, the hospital reportedly went ahead to report the matter at a police station nearby.

In a video the boy’s father made immediately after the son gave up, he accused the hospital of negligence and called the medical staff out for going ahead to report the incident at the Ogombo Police Station, Ajah without first explaining what led to the death of the boy to the family.

According to the father and mother, the child’s medical file cannot be accessed as the hospital has refused to release it.