As Salam Convalescent Centre, a private hospital in Ibeju-Lekki, has denied allegations that it refused to treat a pregnant woman, Kemi, due to her husband’s inability to make an upfront payment of N500,000.
Kemi’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, made the claim in a viral video, alleging that the hospital turned them away despite his pleas to begin treatment while he sourced the funds.
In the video, a visibly weak Kemi sat inside a car as her husband desperately tried to keep her conscious.
Folajimi later stated that after being rejected at the private hospital, they were referred to a general hospital in Epe, but his wife died before they could reach the facility.
“The doctor told me to deposit N500,000, and I begged him to start doing whatever was needed to save my wife while I ran around for the money. But they drove us out like they didn’t care,” he wrote.
His emotional appeal triggered widespread criticism of the hospital, with many calling for accountability in the healthcare system.
According to the PUNCH,the hospital’s founder, Rauf Salami, in an interview on Thursday denied the allegations, insisting that no payment was ever requested from the family.
“On the day in question, a pregnant woman was brought to our centre. My colleague on duty reported that she had convulsed twice at home before arrival. Upon examination, it was clear that she required immediate blood transfusion and surgical attention,” Salami said.
He explained that due to the severity of Kemi’s condition, she was referred to Epe General Hospital, which was better equipped to handle the emergency.
“We did not at any time demand any payment, as we prioritise the patient’s urgent need for specialised care,” he stated.
Salami further clarified that Kemi was not a registered patient of the hospital and had never visited the facility before that day.
“We referred her to a more suitable facility immediately after she was brought in, without even transferring her from the wheelchair used to bring her in,” he said.
Reacting to the backlash, Salami expressed frustration over the accusations, stating that they had deeply affected him.
“Going by the reactions to what happened, it may frustrate one to the point of contemplating suicide because it was deeply frustrating. But that notwithstanding, people have been telling me to sue him. I could do that because I have my evidence,” he said.
He maintained that the hospital lacked the resources to handle Kemi’s condition, which was why they advised her husband to seek urgent care elsewhere.
“If we had given her just one drip that day, she could have died because there was no blood left in her body. And to get blood in this medical profession is not something you can just go to the counter and demand. So, we advised him to take her to a facility where she could be properly cared for. They didn’t spend more than three to four minutes before they left,” he added.
Salami speculated that Kemi may not have been receiving antenatal care, stating that her condition could have been prevented if she had been under medical supervision.
“I don’t think the woman was registered in any hospital because if she had been receiving treatment during her antenatal period, she wouldn’t have been in that condition,” he said.
Despite the controversy, he said he had chosen to leave everything in God’s hands.
“I am a Muslim, and whatever comes a Muslim’s way, the best thing to say is ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un’ (Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return),” he said.
Salami added that he remains hopeful that his integrity will be restored by members of the community who have patronized his hospital in the past.
