April 25, 2026 | Health & Metro News | SUNTV Global Channel
A tragic case of alleged medical negligence has sparked outrage in following the death of a 44-year-old woman, Blessing Okolie, after undergoing fibroid surgery at a private hospital in the Abule Egba area.
Her sister, media personality , has accused the hospital of gross negligence, claiming that a surgical instrument was mistakenly left inside the patient’s body during the procedure — a complication she believes ultimately led to her death.
Speaking on the incident, Nnanna said her sister had long struggled with a severe fibroid condition, which affected both her health and personal life, prompting her decision to undergo surgery in March 2026.
Despite initial concerns about the standard of the facility, the operation went ahead. However, Nnanna alleged that what followed raised serious red flags — from inadequate post-operative care to unusual medical practices shortly after surgery.
“She was brought out and placed on a bench after the operation. They even tried giving her tea and milk immediately,” she claimed, describing the situation as alarming.
According to her, the patient’s condition worsened within days, with persistent abdominal pain and swelling. Repeated requests for diagnostic scans were allegedly ignored by hospital staff.
The situation escalated when a scan was eventually conducted at Clinix Healthcare, revealing what was described as a metallic object inside her abdomen.
A second surgery was carried out on April 7 to remove the object, but her condition reportedly did not improve.
Nnanna further alleged that the hospital failed to refer her sister to a better-equipped facility in time and even experienced a power outage while the patient was on oxygen support.
In a desperate move, the family transferred her to (LASUTH), where she was admitted for emergency care. Despite efforts by medical personnel, she was later pronounced dead.
The family says over ₦2 million was spent on treatment across both hospitals.
Calling for accountability, Nnanna confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police and demanded a full investigation, urging authorities to shut down the facility if found culpable.
“My sister is gone, but I don’t want others to go through what she suffered. There must be justice,” she said.
Responding to the allegations, the Medical Director of the hospital, , acknowledged that the patient underwent surgery but denied drawing conclusions at this stage.
He stated that complications, including possible sepsis, developed after the procedure and maintained that a referral was eventually made at the family’s request.
Ojifinni also dismissed claims circulating online as incomplete, urging the public to await the outcome of an ongoing autopsy and coroner’s inquest.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of death.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that the case has reignited concerns over medical standards, patient safety, and regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s private healthcare sector.
