Lagos Government Probes Pregnant Woman’s Death Allegedly Linked to N500,000 Treatment Fee

The Lagos State Government has launched a formal investigation into the death of Kemi Folajimi, a pregnant woman who reportedly died after being denied treatment at a private hospital over her family’s inability to pay a N500,000 deposit.

The incident gained public attention following a viral video posted by her husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, who alleged that the clinic refused to treat his wife due to the upfront payment demand.

In response, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, expressed deep sorrow over the incident in a statement issued on Saturday. He announced that the state, in collaboration with the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), has constituted a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

According to the commissioner, initial findings suggest the involvement of multiple parties, including a traditional birth attendant and the private hospital. Both are currently being questioned as part of the ongoing probe. The investigation will assess whether the individuals and institutions involved were properly registered with HEFAMAA, adhered to the appropriate scope of medical practice, and complied with emergency care protocols.

Abayomi emphasized that any negligence identified will be met with legal consequences. He reaffirmed that all health facilities in Lagos, whether public or private, are required to maintain HEFAMAA accreditation and are subject to regular inspections.

He stressed that it is a violation of both medical ethics and state regulations for any healthcare provider to refuse emergency care, particularly in life-threatening situations. The state, he said, has a zero-tolerance policy for unlicensed medical operations and will enforce strict penalties where necessary.

The commissioner also used the opportunity to reinforce the government’s efforts in regulating nursing homes and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), adding that such measures are part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare delivery in the state.

Residents were urged to report unregistered or non-compliant facilities and to seek care only from government-approved institutions. To ensure accountability, monitoring activities across all healthcare establishments are being intensified to uphold safety and quality standards.