"No Functional Blood Bank, No Doctor" – Family Accuses Niger Govt Hospital Of Negligence As Woman Dies

A woman identified as Mrs Jensen Julius has reportedly died after being left unattended for several hours at the General Hospital, Kontagora, in Niger State.

SaharaReporters gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday and Sunday when the woman, who was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition, allegedly received no medical attention from doctors until her death.

A family source who spoke to SaharaReporters alleged that the woman’s death was caused by negligence and poor medical care at the facility. 

The source said that the only doctor on duty, identified only as Dr Amao, was absent throughout the night despite repeated calls by nurses and relatives.

The source narrated that the family brought the patient to the hospital between 1pm and 2pm on Saturday but they were left to handle much of the movement and care themselves. 

“May General Hospital Kontagora never happen to you and your family,” the relative lamented while recounting the experience.

“On Saturday around 1 to 2pm we transferred my mum (Jensen Julius) to the General Hospital Kontagora, we got there and were given a bed in Ward C, women ward. Mummy was not having strength to even lift a finger, the ward does not have a working wheelchair. I had to run back to OPD to get a chair, we came there was no road giving access to the room she was booked a bed, the nurses on duty didn't even come out to check who and what the patient looks like, me and my friend, had to take a u-turn to accident #ward, where there is a path way to the ward, we managed to put her on the wheel chair and pushed her to the room, and put her on bed.”

The source further told SaharaReporters that the family struggled for hours to get her treated, but no doctor was available. 

“We bought a card, and rushed to get the drip and injection prescribed. I came back, from 4pm till 8pm her veins couldn't be gotten for treatment. All the nurse tried, punctured her hands to no avail. There was no doctor on the ground since we arrived till 10pm. One of the nurses from the other ward came and helped fix the calculator in her left hand. I rushed around still looking for a doctor to come attend to her, there was none.”

According to the family, the situation worsened overnight as the doctor on call still failed to show up. 

“That same night around 1am to 2am we kept asking who was the doctor on duty, and they mentioned one Dr. Amao who reportedly seems to be fond of not coming to check patients during his duty roll.”

By Sunday morning, the family said they were still unable to find the doctor and even had to source blood for transfusion on their own. 

“On Sunday morning, my friends, family members, everybody was asking where the doctor was, they went round the wards and he was nowhere to be found. There was no blood in the blood bank. 

“According to the lab attendant, I had to call my friend to come donate blood. Everybody was calling to reach out, the nurses refused to give out the number of the doctor on duty, they only said it was Dr Amao.”

The woman reportedly passed away around 1:21pm on Sunday, having received no medical intervention from any doctor. 

“At exactly 1:21pm, my mom took her last breath on earth. We all know death is inevitable but this particular doctor needs to be sanctioned, it won't bring back my mom, but to avoid treating another patient that way. My mom is gone due to negligence of Dr Amao of the General Hospital Kontagora, she died by 5pm, several hours with no doctor on ground.”

The source also told SaharaReporters that the hospital lacked a functioning mortuary to preserve the woman’s remains. “They don't even have a functioning mortuary to even drop her dead body.”

It was gathered that following public outrage, the hospital management met with the bereaved family in Monday and offered an apology, promising to investigate the incident.

“After a meeting with their staff and head, they decided to come and console the family over the loss of my mom, and to sincerely apologizse for everything happening, that they will investigate thoroughly and give back information to the ministry. And fish out every individual involved in such. The management just came visiting, To console the family and apologies. That they will investigate the matter promptly.”

The family said they called on the Niger State Ministry of Health to ensure the incident is properly investigated and that those found culpable are sanctioned to prevent future occurrences.