FCCPC Investigates Death Of 2 Patients In Lagos, Ogun Hospitals

ABUJA – The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission
(FCCPC) said it is investigating the deaths of two patients in
hospitals located in Lagos and Ogun States.

A statement on Monday by Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice
Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, said the Commission
learned from multiple channels and sources about the sad and
unfortunate deaths of Mrs. Peju Ugboma after a surgical/medical
procedure at Premier Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos State; and
Ms. Omolara Omoyajowo after receiving care at Beachland Specialist
Hospital, Arepo, Ogun State.

Irukera said with respect to Late Mrs. Ugboma, publicly
available information suggests that she was admitted at Premier
Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos State, on Thursday, April 22nd,
2021, to undergo what appeared to be an elective procedure on
Friday, April 23rd, 2021.

“The information also implies that the procedure appeared to be
uneventful, and the patient survived the operation.

“However, subsequent to the procedure, complications may have
arisen. Premier continued management, including intensive care. The
patient invariably deteriorated. On Sunday April 25th, 2021, a
decision was made to transfer the patient for further care and
management to Evercare Hospital, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

“She was transferred accordingly. Mrs. Ugboma ultimately died in
the afternoon of Sunday April 25th, 2021.

“Similarly, available information seems to indicate that Late
Ms. Omoyajowo was admitted at Beachland Specialist Hospital in
Arepo, Ogun State on Wednesday May 5th, 2021, where she was
receiving medical attention.

“Her condition appeared to deteriorate, and the hospital decided
that the patient needed to be transferred to a teaching hospital in
Lagos State.

“She was thereafter transferred. Ms. Omayajowo was declared dead
on arrival at the next facility on Thursday May 6th, 2021,” the
statement of explained.

Irukera explained that in both cases, relatives and friends
allege mismanagement including failure of professional standards;
as well as patient care/customer service standards including timely
responses to requests.

According to him, “The Commission in 2018, in collaboration with
multiple healthcare professional associations led by the Nigerian
Medical Association, and the Federal Ministry of Health promoted,
created, and secured the adoption of the Patients’ Bill of Rights
(PBoR).

“The rights enshrined therein are provider obligations that
otherwise exist in other enforceable instruments/codes governing
healthcare delivery.

“Further, and in addition, the Federal Competition & Consumer
Protection Act (FCCPA) mandates the Commission to enforce “any
enactment with respect to the protection of consumers, conduct
investigations into matters related to consumer protection; ensure
consumer interests receive due consideration, and provide redress
to obnoxious practices; ensure service providers comply with local
and international standards of safe service delivery” Section
17(a), (e), (s) and (y).

“The Commission does not investigate or evaluate conduct to
determine professionalism, ethics or violation of
professional/ethical codes.

“The Commission does not make determinations with respect to the
professionalism or adopted procedures of qualified and authorized
professionals.

“However, the Commission investigates and considers whether
service providers sufficiently respect rights of consumers and
applicable standards of care in compliance with those rights,
including providing redress or remedies for injured consumers.

“Initial information gathered is sufficient for the Commission
to open an active investigation into these cases.

“As such, the Commission has today issued Notices of
Commencement of Investigation & Summons to Produce (NCISP) to
relevant persons/entities.

“The Commission is also communicating with the Medical & Dental
Council of Nigeria (MDCN), to expand engagement to the extent that
any pertinent conduct may be otherwise unprofessional and, or may
be subject of any disciplinary process (if applicable).

“The Commission invites information from the public that may
assist in this investigation, including where same is not directly
applicable to these incidents, but potentially relevant to a robust
and more meaningful inquiry into the subject matter or
similar/ancillary occurrences with respect to the parties
identified in, or relevant to these investigations.

“The Commission requests that such information be sent
electronically to: publicinquiry@fccpc.gov.ng.

“Finally, considering the sensitivity of these sad events, and
in respect and deference to families/affected persons or reputation
of both professionals and facilities, the Commission advises candor
and restraint in discussions and pronouncements about the
occurrence and investigation.”

ABUJA – The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission
(FCCPC) said it is investigating the deaths of two patients in
hospitals located in Lagos and Ogun States.

A statement on Monday by Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice
Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, said the Commission
learned from multiple channels and sources about the sad and
unfortunate deaths of Mrs. Peju Ugboma after a surgical/medical
procedure at Premier Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos State; and
Ms. Omolara Omoyajowo after receiving care at Beachland Specialist
Hospital, Arepo, Ogun State.

Irukera said with respect to Late Mrs. Ugboma, publicly
available information suggests that she was admitted at Premier
Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos State, on Thursday, April 22nd,
2021, to undergo what appeared to be an elective procedure on
Friday, April 23rd, 2021.

“The information also implies that the procedure appeared to be
uneventful, and the patient survived the operation.

“However, subsequent to the procedure, complications may have
arisen. Premier continued management, including intensive care. The
patient invariably deteriorated. On Sunday April 25th, 2021, a
decision was made to transfer the patient for further care and
management to Evercare Hospital, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

“She was transferred accordingly. Mrs. Ugboma ultimately died in
the afternoon of Sunday April 25th, 2021.

“Similarly, available information seems to indicate that Late
Ms. Omoyajowo was admitted at Beachland Specialist Hospital in
Arepo, Ogun State on Wednesday May 5th, 2021, where she was
receiving medical attention.

“Her condition appeared to deteriorate, and the hospital decided
that the patient needed to be transferred to a teaching hospital in
Lagos State.

“She was thereafter transferred. Ms. Omayajowo was declared dead
on arrival at the next facility on Thursday May 6th, 2021,” the
statement of explained.

Irukera explained that in both cases, relatives and friends
allege mismanagement including failure of professional standards;
as well as patient care/customer service standards including timely
responses to requests.

According to him, “The Commission in 2018, in collaboration with
multiple healthcare professional associations led by the Nigerian
Medical Association, and the Federal Ministry of Health promoted,
created, and secured the adoption of the Patients’ Bill of Rights
(PBoR).

“The rights enshrined therein are provider obligations that
otherwise exist in other enforceable instruments/codes governing
healthcare delivery.

“Further, and in addition, the Federal Competition & Consumer
Protection Act (FCCPA) mandates the Commission to enforce “any
enactment with respect to the protection of consumers, conduct
investigations into matters related to consumer protection; ensure
consumer interests receive due consideration, and provide redress
to obnoxious practices; ensure service providers comply with local
and international standards of safe service delivery” Section
17(a), (e), (s) and (y).

“The Commission does not investigate or evaluate conduct to
determine professionalism, ethics or violation of
professional/ethical codes.

“The Commission does not make determinations with respect to the
professionalism or adopted procedures of qualified and authorized
professionals.

“However, the Commission investigates and considers whether
service providers sufficiently respect rights of consumers and
applicable standards of care in compliance with those rights,
including providing redress or remedies for injured consumers.

“Initial information gathered is sufficient for the Commission
to open an active investigation into these cases.

“As such, the Commission has today issued Notices of
Commencement of Investigation & Summons to Produce (NCISP) to
relevant persons/entities.

“The Commission is also communicating with the Medical & Dental
Council of Nigeria (MDCN), to expand engagement to the extent that
any pertinent conduct may be otherwise unprofessional and, or may
be subject of any disciplinary process (if applicable).

“The Commission invites information from the public that may
assist in this investigation, including where same is not directly
applicable to these incidents, but potentially relevant to a robust
and more meaningful inquiry into the subject matter or
similar/ancillary occurrences with respect to the parties
identified in, or relevant to these investigations.

“The Commission requests that such information be sent
electronically to: publicinquiry@fccpc.gov.ng.

“Finally, considering the sensitivity of these sad events, and
in respect and deference to families/affected persons or reputation
of both professionals and facilities, the Commission advises candor
and restraint in discussions and pronouncements about the
occurrence and investigation.”