A 29-year-old man, Mr. Ismaila Bakare, has been battling pains after he got knocked down by an Ajah General Hospital ambulance at Lekki Phase 1 in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State.
According to reports, the incident happened on March 13, 2021.
The ambulance driver, who was said to be on one way around 6:00pm, hit Ismaila on his way home from Lekki Phase 1 roundabout. He was said to have rushed Ismaila to Lagos Island General Hospital, where he allegedly abandoned him.
Funmilola Salami, a legal practitioner, who is handling the matter on Ismaila’s behalf, said that he had petitioned the Lagos State Governor; the Secretary to the State Government; the Commissioner for Health; the Chairman, Lagos Health Service Commission; the House of Assembly Committee on Health; the House of Assembly Committee on Public Petitions; the Director-General, National Human Rights Commission, Lagos chapter; and the Attorney-General of Lagos State, over the matter.
His words: “I called Dr Quadri and he confirmed that the Ajah General Hospital’s ambulance was the cause of the accident. We believe Bakare should not be left in limbo; we are of the opinion that it is too early to discharge him, and that he was not given adequate medical attention. Bakare’s complaints against Dr Quadri and the driver of the ambulance working for the Ajah General Hospital should be investigated.
“He should be duly compensated for the injuries and the loss of manpower time. When I checked him before the hospital sent him packing, he was still throwing up blood and it is unbelievable that he will be asked to go home within a short space of time. They feel he is taking up space, despite complaining of chest pain.”
Recounting the ordeal, Ismaila said “I was standing by the roadside at Lekki roundabout when the ambulance that was driving on one-way came to hit me where I was. He had no sick one in the bus with him; so, I do not know why he took one-way. With the help of other people, he rushed me to Lagos Island Hospital, where I was not treated because of money.”
“They abandoned me and all my body is in pain. I don’t know how my six-year-old daughter and pregnant wife are feeding. I have been sent away from the hospital with no help now, I need medical assistance to be able to take care of myself and family,”