The management of As Salam Convalescent Centre, a private hospital in Iwerekun 1, Ibeju-Lekki, has denied claims that it demanded a N500,000 deposit before attending to a pregnant woman, Kemi Folajimi, who later d!ed from complications
In a viral video, Kemi’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, alleged the hospital refused treatment because he couldn’t immediately pay the amount. He said they were told to go to Epe General Hospital, where his wife died.
“The doctor told me to deposit N500,000. I begged him to start treatment while I looked for the money, but they turned us away,” he said.
The video sparked outrage online, with many accusing the hospital of negligence.
However, in a phone interview with PUNCH Metro, the hospital’s founder, Rauf Salami, denied the allegations, insisting no money was ever discussed.
“She wasn’t a registered patient. She was brought in after convulsing at home. We quickly assessed her and referred her to Epe General Hospital because she needed a blood transfusion and surgery, which we don’t provide,” Salami said.
He added that the woman and her husband were at the hospital for less than five minutes and were not turned away due to money.
“If we had attempted treatment like giving her a drip, she might have died here. She had no blood in her system,” he explained.
Salami also questioned whether Kemi received proper antenatal care during pregnancy and expressed sadness over the backlash.
“Some people have told me to sue, and I could—because I have evidence. But I leave it all to God,” he said, adding that the hospital’s long-standing reputation in the community speaks for itself.
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