Reps to probe hospital for allegedly rejecting robbery victim

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate a Lagos hospital for allegedly rejecting a stabbed victim who subsequently died.

The hospital, R-Jolad Hospital, had reportedly refused to provide immediate medical care to one Moradeun Balogun, a victim of armed robbery attack.

During plenary on Tuesday, the House resolved to investigate R-Jolad Hospital following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Wale Raji.

Raji in his motion said the hospital violated the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 with the refusal to give the victim a medical care.

Giving a detailed account of the circumstances that led to the death of the lady, he said: “The armed robbery attack on Miss Moradeun Balogun on December 2, 2019 in the Gbagada area of Lagos, consequent upon which she was rushed by patriotic citizens to R-Jolad hospital, which was the nearest hospital to the scene of the attack. But unfortunately, she was refused medical attention resulting to her untimely death due to excessive loss of blood.

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“The alleged refusal of medical attention to the victim is a violation of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017.”

Raji noted that since the incident, “no arrest has been made by the police.”

He added: “The conduct of doctors/hospitals in refusing medical attention to victims of gunshots and fatal attacks is a breach of the Hippocratic Oath sworn to by medical practitioners on induction.

“If the provisions of the relevant laws are enforced and punitive actions taken against erring doctors and hospitals by the police and medical/professional bodies respectively, this rising tide will long be abated.”

The lawmakers, therefore, mandated the House Committee on Healthcare Services to expeditiously investigate the alleged refusal of the management of R-Jolad hospital to provide immediate medical attention to Miss Moradeun on arrival to the hospital which eventually led to her untimely death.

The House also directed the Inspector General of Police to investigate, arrest and prosecute all the perpetrators of the heinous act in line with the relevant provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 and the Criminal Code Act.

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