A Nigerian man has recounted the heartbreaking experience his family went through after his mother suddenly collapsed and was reportedly turned away by several hospitals before her death three days later.
According to the man, his mother collapsed and the family immediately rushed her to a hospital for urgent medical attention. However, upon arrival, they were reportedly told that there was no doctor available, while nurses advised them to seek treatment elsewhere.
He said they proceeded to two other hospitals, but his mother was allegedly rejected again.
He questioned how a patient living in Ota, Ogun State, could be referred to hospitals in Lagos or Abeokuta when she was in urgent need of medical attention.
With no other option, his father suggested taking her back home, but he refused to accept the situation and began calling friends, neighbours and other people who might know of a nearby hospital where she could receive treatment.
Eventually, a neighbour directed them to a hospital within their neighbourhood and informed them that a doctor was available.
The man said he was shocked by the condition of the hospital and its limited facilities when they arrived, but at that point, his priority was simply finding someone willing to attend to his mother.
He said the doctor immediately commenced treatment but warned the family that the facility lacked the equipment and resources required to properly manage his mother’s condition.
Despite the limitations, the family had little choice because they had already visited several hospitals and could not find another facility willing to take her.
The man added that his mother had previously received treatment at one of the hospitals that allegedly turned her away and usually visited the facility whenever she needed medical attention.
Three days after the ordeal began, his mother died.
Reflecting on the incident, the man said he continues to struggle with the belief that his mother’s death might have been prevented if she had received timely and adequate medical care.
He said what hurts most is knowing that the family did everything they could, including taking her to different hospitals, pleading for assistance, making phone calls and searching for a facility that would accept her.
The account has renewed concerns about access to emergency medical care and the challenges patients and their families face when seeking urgent treatment.
