Lagos to probe hospital over Peju Ugboma’s death

The Lagos state government has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of Peju Ugboma, a popular pastry chef.

The state’s Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) broke the news in a Twitter thread on Sunday.

Peju’s family had earlier alleged that their daughter died due to negligence of health officials at Premier Specialist Medical Centre in Victoria Island where she had surgery for fibroid.

According to the family, an independent autopsy carried out by pathologists at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) “with credible observers and Premier hospital in attendance revealed that Peju suffered internal bleeding.”

But reacting to the development, the agency said it has been directed by Akin Abayomi, the state commissioner for health, to investigate the hospital and “establish the facts” on what led to Ugboma’s death.

“On behalf of the Lagos State Government @followlasg, @HEFAMAA_LASG commiserates with the family of Mrs. Peju Ugboma, may God in His infinite mercies bless her soul and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” it wrote.

“Meanwhile, the honorable Commissioner @LSMOH, @ProfAkinAbayomi has directed @HEFAMAA_LASG; the agency charged with the responsibility of accrediting, monitoring, and inspecting all public and private health facilities in the state, to conduct a proper investigation on the occurrence to establish the facts of the matter.”

It assured the public as well as the family of the deceased that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring justice in the matter to prevent such from happening in the future.

“We assure the family and the public that @HEFAMAA_LASG will do the needful to get to the root of the matter and ensure #JusticeForPeju with a view to preventing such unfortunate incidents in the future,” the agency added.

Peju’s demise had come at about the same time when a lady identified as Omolara was said to have also died at the Beachland Specialist Hospital in Arepo axis of Ogun state due to alleged negligence by the health facility.