‘We can’t breach client confidentiality’ — hospital declines enquiries on Peju Ugboma’s death

Premier Hospital says it can’t respond to media enquiries on the death of Peju Ugboma, Lagos chef.

Peju’s family had earlier alleged that their daughter died due to the negligence of health officials at the Premier Specialist Medical Centre in Victoria Island. She underwent surgery for fibroid but later suffered internal bleeding.

Omolara Omoyajowo, another deceased lady, was also alleged to have died due to negligence by officials at the Beachland Specialist Hospital in the Arepo axis of Ogun state, where she received treatment after suffering an ulcer attack.

The development had provoked outrage on social media, with many Nigerian users calling on relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to their deaths.

In the heat of the controversy, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had moved to investigate any possible violation of patient and consumer rights.

But in a statement sent to TheCable Lifestyle on Thursday, the hospital called for public calm, while warning against “unfounded rumours”.

It also noted that it was fully cooperating with the probe of regulatory bodies on the matter.

“Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre is saddened by the loss of Mrs. Peju Ugboma. We express our profound condolences to her husband, children, mother, and the rest of the family,” the statement read.

“The hospital welcomes all statutory inquiries and is currently fully cooperating with the relevant regulatory bodies as is the protocol in cases of this nature. It intends to keep doing so until a conclusion is reached.

“However, with regards to the numerous inquiries made by the media, the ethics of the medical profession does not allow the hospital to breach client confidentiality even in the extreme case of death.

“Therefore, the hospital, in its bid to enforce that, will regretfully not be in a position to respond to these inquiries. The hospital further appeals to the general public not to exacerbate the grief of the deceased family.

“…by speculating on unfounded rumours and unsubstantiated facts. We urge patience and restraint in order to allow the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and make their findings known.”