Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy said she is seeking justice for the late Greatness Olorunfemi who died as a result of being pushed out of a moving vehicle.
Kennedy had expressed displeasure over the actions of a hospital in Abuja that turned away the dying victim of a violent ‘one chance’ attack.
The Minister on Wednesday visited the hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) unannounced and said the incident cannot be swept under the carpet.
“During my surprise visit to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital, I made it clear that a follow-up is imperative on this matter,” Kennedy said.
“This issue has become a recurring decimal as many people with emergency cases are denied medical attention and they subsequently die. The life of every woman and child must be protected at all cost.
“The deceased wasn’t just a daughter; she was also a citizen of our dear country Nigeria and she was entitled to the protection of her fundamental human rights.”
Kennedy said she met the Matron in charge of the Accident and Emergency Unit, Mrs Habiba Musa who stated that the deceased was on Thursday, 26th September, brought in dead and was not denied medical attention.
Musa added that her pulse was thready and her heart beat had stopped as at the time the young lady was brought to the hospital.
The Women Affairs Minister said that she was unconvinced by what she considered their alibi.
She requested to see the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Igbinovia Imuentien whom she was told had gone for a meeting.
Kennedy said she was informed of an independent panel of investigation seating at the Health Secretariat and moved to the venue of the said seating.
“There, the FCT Mandate Secretary, Heath Services and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe informed me that an Independent Investigative Panel was set up for a thorough investigation of the incident,” she explained.
According to Fasawe, the panel consists of non-governmental organizations, Civil Society Organisations, Council of Nurses and other bodies with the terms of reference: – Investigation and discovering the true circumstances that led to the tragic death of the deceased.
At the Minister’s demand, the Mandate Secretary included the Youth Council of Nigeria in the Panel of Investigation.
