National hospital denies leaving Imo monarch’s son to die

… says it has functional equipment and well-trained staff

The management of the National Hospital, Abuja has denied allegations that the negligence and incompetence of its staff caused the death of 27-year-old Obinna Emeka, the late son of Eze Pharm. Emeka Ogbonna, the Traditional Ruler of Ama-Inyi Community in Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.

The monarch in a statement had called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to close down the hospital over the alleged negligence and incompetence of the hospital staff which caused the death of his son.

He added that the hospital lacked a functional scan machine to carry out a full body scan on his son, and that it took the hospital another three hours to attend to his son, after they had conducted the scan at a private hospital, and that his son died within that time.

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However, in a counter statement, the spokesperson for the hospital, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, faulted the report and stated that the late Emeka was brought to the hospital seven hours after his accident adding that the hospital had functional equipment.
It further said it was the hospital’s policy to treat patients for 48 hours before demanding any sort of payments

Part of the statement reads “The attention of the management of National Hospital Abuja has been drawn to an online publication (Not The PUNCH) with the caption, “FG Urged to close National Hospital Abuja after Death of Young Pharmacist”.

“The statements in the publication were attributed to HRH Eze Pharm. Emeka Ogbonna, who alleged that his son, Charles Emeka, died in the National Hospital Abuja due to incompetence and negligence.

“To put the record straight, the patient was said to have been knocked down by a vehicle along Kubwa Express Road and was taken to Kubwa General Hospital after which he was referred to the National Hospital Abuja. He was presented to the National Hospital Abuja Trauma Centre on 2/4/2023, seven (7) hours following the accident. Necessary investigations and procedures were carried out but unfortunately, we lost the patient.

“As a matter of fact, there was no incompetence or negligence in the treatment of the said patient. National Hospital Abuja ensures that medical services are rendered promptly. Emergencies/Trauma cases are given priorities. Our CT scan, MRI and UltraSound machines are always available for in-patients and emergencies. Furthermore, it is a policy in National Hospital Abuja to attend to emergencies for 48 hours without emphasising on the monetary aspect.”

While sympathising with the family of the monarch over the demise of their son, Haastrup stated that the National Hospital Abuja had competent medical personnel fully certified by professional bodies and that standard procedures were followed strictly.

He also called on members of the public to ensure that they took patients to the hospital on time and advised media organisations to also verify information to ensure balanced reports, and to avoid sensationalism.