Lagos Hospital: The management of As Salam Convalescent Centre in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, has denied allegations that it demanded a ₦500,000 deposit before treating a pregnant woman, Kemi, who later died from pregnancy complications.
The claims were made in a viral video by her husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, who accused the hospital of rejecting urgent treatment due to his inability to pay the amount upfront. In the heart-wrenching footage, Folajimi could be seen pleading with his unconscious wife as he tried to get help.
According to him, the hospital referred them to Epe General Hospital, where Kemi tragically died on arrival.
However, in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro, the hospital’s founder, Rauf Salami, rejected the allegations, stating that there was no demand for money.
He explained that the woman arrived in critical condition, having already convulsed twice, and required immediate surgical intervention and blood transfusion—facilities his centre could not provide.
“We never asked for payment. We advised they go to a better-equipped facility because there was no blood left in her body,” Salami clarified.
He further said the woman was not a registered patient and had never visited the hospital. The entire encounter, he claimed, lasted barely four minutes before the referral was made.
While acknowledging the emotional impact of the backlash, Salami maintained that his conscience was clear and expressed faith that the truth would prevail. He added that he had left the matter in God’s hands.