* Says she was discharged based on medical assessments
* MURIC disagrees, insists eviction was rejection
* We want artificial legs, scholarship for our daughter – parents
The management of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has stated her side of the eviction story of girl-child victim of mosque collapse in Papa-Ajao, Mushin, Naheemah Lasisi, whose two legs were amputated.
Muslim News had on Sunday, July 7 published a story revealing that the management of the state-run hospital was hatching plans to evict the 12-year-old victim and her family out of the hospital premises without making proper arrangements for the continuity of her treatment and mobility.
The parents, confirmed to our reporters that they are now back home with Naheemah, following what they termed “premature discharge” by the hospital on Tuesday, July 9.
But the hospital, however, stated in a press release published on its social media handles that the child was not evicted but discharged based on medical assessments and in the best interest of the patient.
The release read, in part, “It is important to emphasise that decisions regarding patient discharge are made based on medical assessments and the best interest of the patient. The allegation that we are “threatening” to discharge the patient prematurely is unfounded. We follow a thorough process to ensure that each patient is ready for discharge, which includes arranging for follow-up care and support.”
The hospital also disclosed that plans have been finalised on availing Naheemah appropriate prosthesis as at when due, which was one of the major issues of concern for the parents, whose two other children (minors) also sustained injuries in the mosque that collapsed on Sunday, May 26, after an excavator wrongly hit the foundation of mosque).
“In this case, management ensured the provision of a wheelchair and other mobility support for the patient following her successful surgeries and has also concluded arrangements to ensure the provision of appropriate prosthesis.”
Muslim News observed that the LASUTH management also stated in the press release that taking of videos is not allowed in the hospital wards but was silent on the allegations of conducting “an arranged/forced interview” with the victim and assault on MURIC official, Mr. Lawal AbdulFatah, who was invited by Naheemah’s parents to also interview the victim.
“In LASUTH, we do not allow videos taken in our wards. This is purely an ethical and private issue. There are signages all over which clearly state this position. We will continue to exhibit professionalism and never discuss details of our patients’ medical conditions publicly,” the statement read in parts.
Read LASUTH full statement HERE
We’ve gifted the family N1.5m – Mushin LG
Muslim News gathered that Naheemah’s parents received a total of N1m donation from Mushin Local Government as compensation. This was after the Chairman had already given the family five hundred thousand naira (N500,000).
Mr. Lasisi confirmed receiving monetary donation, stressing that despite being in great need at the moment, priority should be focused on Naheemah’s well-being and the security of her future.
According to him, this is not an attempt to undermine the kind gestures from the government, and well-meaning individuals who have garnered support around the family so far, but our concerns are borne out of the concern for the wellbeing of our child, the uncertainties that await her in the nearest future.
Naheemah’s father told our reporter on Tuesday, July 9, in an interview that he has been unable work since the incident happened, adding that the family is being catered for with the money received from Mushin Local Government chairman.
Priority should be focused on Naheemah’s well-being: Parents
He added: “What we want is for the State and Mushin Local government to come to our rescue on the case of Naheemah. We are not asking for money, although the money given so far has been helpful, it is been used to cater for the family, and for the treatment of her younger siblings, Aliyah and Abdul-Basit, who were also affected in the incident.
“What we actually want on Naheemah’s case is that her treatment continues and that government provides for her education and give scholarship.
“We don’t mean to antagonise the government and we are not denying all that has been done to date. I’m a tricycle operator, but I’ve been unable to work since the incident happened. The owner of the tricycle has even taken it from me, so the money came in handy.
“However, Naheemah’s health and well-being, considering the fact that she’s a sickle cell (SS) patient, will be an issue of great concern to any parent. Moreover, the realities surrounding Naheemah now is a sustained treatment and that is our utmost concern, then her mobility and education. If these three concerns are fulfilled, it will gladden our hearts.”
“Naheemah became a responsibility of the state, the day that unpleasant event happened. So, her needs should be attended to as such. We appreciate everyone who has gotten across to the family. We therefore call unto Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu led-administration to listen to our plea and award Naheemah scholarship,” he added.
LASUTH’s action ‘cruel, callous and inconsiderate’: MURIC
Meanwhile, An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has expressed strong disapproval of the hospital’s decision to discharge patient prematurely against the wish of the parents.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 10, Prof Lakin Akintola, the group’s Founder and Executive Director, described the action as an eviction, adding that the manner of the discharge was cruel, callous and inconsiderate.
He said, “This is not a ‘discharge’. It is an ejection. The poor girl was forcefully ‘discharged’ because her parents refused to play ball when the hospital authorities tried to manipulate a ‘press interview’ for reasons best known to them. The intention became clear when the girl was reminded at the start of the interview that she should respond to questions ‘as earlier instructed’. The threat to ‘discharge’ the girl began immediately after the foiled interview. The manner of this ‘discharge’ is cruel, callous and inconsiderate.”
The Islamic human rights organisation noted that the hospital management has been furious since it became obvious that her planned interview had failed.
“But they have not told Nigerians the reason for organizing a press interview. Why would a government hospital arrange a press interview for a patient, particularly an underaged girl? It is child abuse”, he asked, as he demanded an apology from LASUTH for the patient and her parent, particularly for subjecting them to immense psychological trauma.
“The girl cried throughout Monday and Tuesday after realizing that she was going to be ‘discharged’ against the wish of her parents. It was also a pathetic scene yesterday (Tuesday) as the poor parents struggled to get a vehicle that would convey her home, he stated.
Naheemah’s parents want artificial legs for their daughter: MURIC calls for govt intervention
Prof. Akintola therefore called on the government especially the State Governor to take responsibility, compensate Naheemah, other victims and rebuild the mosque at Papa Ajao, so the Muslims can worship again in peace.
He said: “What Naheemah’s parents want is artificial legs for their daughter, continued medical care, scholarship for the girl and compensation for the family. On the other hand, we have the mosque that was pulled down, it should be rebuilt for the Muslim Community.”
He observed that the donation of money to mosque committee will not suffice in this harsh economic dispensation and that MURIC is not asking anyone for anything, the civil society is only (trying) to ensure that the right thing is done.
“We also demand that LASG must rebuild the mosque destroyed by its excavator. No attempt should be made to offer money to the mosque. What the Muslims want is a rebuilt mosque,” he added.
Read MURIC’s full press release HERE
