Family demands N500m from LASUTH over death linked to unprescribed injection
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The family of a 59-year-old patient, Mrs. Adegoke Mosekola Dorcas, has demanded N500 million in compensation from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, over alleged gross medical negligence that led to her death.
Mrs. Adegoke died on January 24, 2024, barely two weeks after she was admitted to LASUTH for surgery to remove an adrenal mass, a growth in one of the adrenal glands.
According to a letter written on behalf of her four adult children by Wale Ogunade Chambers and addressed to the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, the demand is based on a post-mortem report and medical certificate of death.
The lawyers alleged that Mrs. Adegoke underwent surgery on January 11, 2024, during which a major blood vessel was accidentally punctured, resulting in severe blood loss and cardiac arrest. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit but later recovered and was transferred to the Female Surgical Ward.
By January 16, 2024, the letter stated, she was fully conscious, alert and communicating with family members. A doctor was said to have examined her during ward rounds and certified her fit for discharge the following day.
The family alleged that later that evening, at about 7 p.m., a Principal Nursing Officer identified as Ilesanmi Temitope approached the patient to administer medication. When one of the deceased’s daughters asked what the injection was for, she was reportedly told it was an antibiotic.
The substance was later identified as Vecuronium [Neovec-10], a neuromuscular blocking drug used to induce muscle paralysis during anaesthesia, the lawyers said.
They alleged that the drug was administered through an arterial line that should have been removed in preparation for discharge, and without the respiratory support and monitoring required for its use on an open surgical ward.
Shortly after the injection, Mrs. Adegoke reportedly developed breathing difficulty, suffered seizures and went into cardiac arrest.
The letter further alleged that internal investigations by LASUTH established that neither the patient nor her relatives purchased, supplied or possessed Vecuronium, and that the drug was improperly accessed and administered by hospital personnel.
Mrs. Adegoke was returned to the ICU but suffered severe hypoxic brain injury, persistent seizures and organ failure before her death on January 24, 2024, per post mortem report and certificate of death cited by TheNiche.
The lawyers also alleged that LASUTH subsequently removed or retired the nurse involved, refunded N759,750 in medical expenses, reimbursed N550,000 for coffin expenses and provided N5 million as burial support.
The family, however, said the N5 million was received as ex-gratia burial support and not as settlement or waiver of its claim for compensation. It accused the hospital of failing to provide it with the final findings of its internal investigation or evidence of regulatory sanctions against the personnel involved.
The family is demanding N500 million as compensatory damages for alleged medical negligence, wrongful death, pain and suffering, and loss of financial dependency. It is also demanding a formal written apology from LASUTH and certified copies of the hospital’s internal investigation report, as well as any petitions submitted to relevant professional regulatory councils regarding the personnel involved.
The lawyers gave LASUTH 30 days from receipt of the letter to meet the demands, warning that failure to comply would result in civil proceedings at the High Court of Lagos State.
They also threatened to petition the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA.
When contacted, LASUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, told TheNiche: “We are examining the allegations and will respond appropriately.”
