A devastating mix-up at Gbagada General Hospital has left a family in unimaginable pain after the baby they were given to bury turned out not to be theirs. The incident has sparked outrage, with the grieving family demanding accountability and justice.
The distressing series of events began on Sunday, December 1, when a first-time mother was admitted to Gbagada General Hospital. The young woman, whose water had broken earlier that day, was experiencing contractions but was not dilating. Upon her admission to the maternity ward, a doctor examined her but offered no explanation or report about her condition. Instead, she was instructed to undergo a scan the following day.
After completing the scan on Monday morning and returning to the hospital by 10:20 a.m., the family waited anxiously for a doctor to review the results. Hours passed with no update. Frustrated but still hopeful, the expectant mother left briefly to attend a physiotherapy appointment, only to receive a call at 2:30 p.m. informing her that doctors were finally available.
When she rushed back to the hospital, her ordeal worsened. Despite undergoing another examination, she was given no explanation about her condition or the treatment plan.
Later that evening, a doctor mentioned the possibility of induction, but when the mother asked for more details, another doctor rudely responded, “Do you want to be treated or not?”
In the early hours of Tuesday, December 3, the induction process began with the administration of Cytotec (misoprostol). The first dose was given at 12:41 a.m., and a second dose followed at 7:40 a.m. By 9:20 a.m., she was in active labor, delivering her baby at around 10:30 a.m.
Shortly after delivery, the baby—struggling to breathe—was taken to the Neonatal Unit (NNU). The family’s access to the baby was severely limited, with only the father and mother granted brief glimpses.
On Thursday, December 5, the family’s world was shattered when the hospital informed them that their baby had passed away earlier that morning following a medical emergency. The father, who had been asked to conduct a test for the baby the night before, raised concerns when he noticed a mix-up in the paperwork.
When the family arrived at the morgue to claim the baby’s body, their worst fears were confirmed: the baby handed to them was not theirs. “We were given someone else’s baby to bury,” the family revealed.
This heartbreaking ordeal has left the family reeling from grief and betrayal. They accuse Gbagada General Hospital of gross negligence, unprofessional conduct, and a lack of compassion.
In a statement, the family demanded answers:
“Our baby is Okolie’s baby, but we were handed Adefisan’s baby to bury. We are now seeking public support to ensure that justice is served. The hospital management and staff must be held accountable, and our baby must be returned to us.”
The family’s pain is further compounded by the loss of what was supposed to be a joyful moment—a mother welcoming her first child.
This tragic incident highlights systemic issues within healthcare institutions, including poor communication, negligence, and disregard for patient dignity. The family hopes their story will shed light on these injustices and prompt meaningful changes to prevent future tragedies.
They are now calling on the public to support their quest for justice and closure. For them, nothing can erase the pain of this loss, but accountability is a necessary first step toward healing.
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