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A private hospital in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, is under public scrutiny following allegations that it refused to treat a pregnant woman due to her husband’s inability to make an upfront payment of ₦500,000.
The woman, identified as Kemi, later died on the way to another facility.
In a video that quickly went viral, Kemi’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, emotionally recounted how he pleaded with staff at As Salam Convalescent Centre to begin treating his wife while he tried to source the funds. The video shows a visibly distressed Kemi seated in a car as her husband attempted to keep her conscious.
Folajimi claimed the hospital rejected them and directed them to Epe General Hospital, but Kemi passed away before they arrived.
“The doctor told me to deposit ₦500,000. I begged him to start treatment while I got the money, but they drove us out like we didn’t matter,” he said.
“The doctor told me to deposit 500k, and I begged him to start doing whatever is needed to save my wife. We needed emergency support while I run around for the money, but they drove us out like they didn’t care pic.twitter.com/G3DvbcEsLJ
— Engr Checo✨ (@engrcheco) April 3, 2025Hospital Responds: No Payment Was RequestedIn response to the public backlash, Dr. Rauf Salami, founder of As Salam Convalescent Centre, denied the allegations. Speaking to PUNCH on Thursday, he stated that no payment was requested, and the patient was immediately referred to a better-equipped government facility.
“A pregnant woman was brought in, and my colleague reported that she had already convulsed twice before arriving. We quickly examined her and saw that she needed an emergency blood transfusion and surgery, which we could not provide. She was referred immediately to Epe General Hospital,” Salami explained.
According to him, Kemi had never been registered at the hospital and had no medical history on file.
“They didn’t even spend more than four minutes here. We didn’t transfer her from the wheelchair she came in with. We acted swiftly and never asked for money.”
Emotional Toll and ClarificationDr. Salami expressed deep frustration over the viral accusations, saying the situation had taken an emotional toll on him.
“The backlash has been overwhelming. Some people have advised me to sue. I have my evidence, but I leave it to God,” he said.
He further explained that treating Kemi without access to blood or surgical equipment could have worsened her condition.
“If we had given her even a drip, she could have died right there. There was no blood in her system, and blood cannot just be collected over the counter. We acted in her best interest.”
Questions Around Antenatal CareThe hospital also questioned whether Kemi had been receiving routine antenatal care during her pregnancy.
“I don’t think she was registered anywhere. If she had been attending antenatal care, her condition might have been better managed,” Salami said.
Despite the ongoing criticism, Salami said he hopes the truth will come to light through the support of patients who know his work.
“I am a Muslim, and in difficult moments, we say: ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un’ — to God we belong, and to Him we return,” he said.
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