Lagos Patient Got Free Emergency Care Worth N93,950 – Officials

Lagos State Ministry of Health has said that Alimat Oshodi, a 21-year-old patient, received emergency treatment worth N93,950 free of charge, countering claims on social media that she was denied care and asked to pay at a government hospital.

The ministry said its investigation confirmed that the state’s social health protection mechanisms worked seamlessly in this case, ensuring timely, no-cost support when Oshodi required lifesaving intervention.

The incident was first reported online on 31 August by Oshodi’s mother, who alleged that Randle General Hospital had delayed treatment and attempted to extort funds.

Responding, the hospital officials said the patient was admitted on 4 August at the hospital’s Mother and Child Centre as an emergency case and was discharged on 11 August after receiving care under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (CEmONC) programme.

Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi said the findings showed that Lagos’ health protection systems were functioning as intended.

“This case demonstrates that our mechanisms, including Ilera Eko and hospital-based social welfare support, are in place to ensure no patient is denied emergency care due to financial constraints,” he said.

Following her discharge, Oshodi returned for follow-up care on 27 August. The hospital’s Social Welfare Unit provided N18,000 to support further investigations, while the patient contributed N10,000. In total, government assistance amounted to N93,950.

Officials explained that a dispute over a point-of-sale transaction arose after Oshodi sought a refund of N13,000 that had already been covered by the welfare fund, saying an NGO had offered to pay. She was informed that refunds could not be processed at the paypoint in accordance with established procedures.

Prof. Abayomi added that the ministry continues to improve efficiency in public hospitals by rolling out the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) and conducting regular audits of fee collection practices.

He emphasised that the state remains committed to protecting vulnerable patients and ensuring access to care without financial barriers.