Hospital inaugurates panel to investigate patients’ complaints

The Chairman, Management Board of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Dr. Gbola Adetunji, has set up a four-man panel to investigate a report published by Saturday on July 19, 2014 on the situation in the hospital.  “Patients Pay Doctors to Use Surgical Equipment at Igbobi Hospital” where it was stated that patients were mandated to pay at least N35,000 for the use of an equipment known as the surgical drilling machine.

The report referred to a woman named Adedoyin Olatayo who, after paying the sum of N787,200 as the surgery cost in the hospital, was further asked to pay the sum of N35,000 by one of the two doctors who handled her case for the rent of the surgical drill.It was also reported that each patient in the female wards of Mobolaji Bank Anthony had to bring a rechargeable fan since the fans installed in the wards were not working effectively, and that the hospital management was not providing pillows for patients on admission.

In a statement by the board of management of the hospital, Adetunji said the committee would look into the allegations, identify the officers culpable of the allegations, identify other lapses in some services within the hospital and make recommendations as it might deem appropriate to the board.

He added that the hospital would continue to provide effective, qualitative and affordable specialised health care delivery, service as an advocacy centre for injury and disability prevention in all areas of specialty, including training and research through partnership with relevant stakeholders.

The committee members include Dr. Dennis Ude Ekumankama, (Chairman), Dr. Adedamola Dada, (member), Mr. Ayo Olagunju (member) and Mrs. Adenike Ayo (secretary).