Coroner Mukaila Fadeyi has indicted doctors of Premier hospital, Lekki for medical negligence over the death of Peju Ugboma.
Mrs Ugboma, a 41-year-old mother-of-two, was the founder of a pastry company, I Luv Desserts.
She died on April 25, 2021 after undergoing hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) to remove fibroids conducted by Premier Hospital specialists.
Ugboma was transferred to Evercare Hospital due to complications but she was pronounced dead shortly after.
The coroner’s inquest which commenced in May 2021, had 16 witnesses including the widower, doctors, pathologist and others.
Giving his verdict on Thursday in Lagos, the Coroner, Mr Fadeyi said Peju died after medical negligence.
According to him, the “only logical” insight to “her death is a result of the combination of lack of due diligence of the doctors.”
The coroner said that the failure of appropriate response, substandard care and inadequate optimal care contributed to her untimely demise.
The coroner said an autopsy revealed that the deceased died from massive intra-abdominal bleeding, as 500ml of blood and 900ml of clotted blood were found in her abdomen.
Fadeyi observed that the deceased’s medical history was poorly documented and that doctors of Premier Medical Centre failed to engage appropriate surgeons.
He questioned the absence of vital machines and unwillingness of the doctors to address the issues immediately after surgery.
The coroner recommended that state governments should not limit funds to public hospitals but extend funding to private hospitals.
“Government and medical regulators should ensure that the standards by the World Health Organisation for Packed-Cell Volume (PCV) of 38 per cent before any surgical operation should be maintained,” he added.
Fadeyi added that he could not award damages as requested by counsel to the Ugboma Family, noting that he only carried out an inquest.
Mr Fadeyi also recommended that the code of conduct and ethics of medical practitioners “should be tightly reviewed to severely punish negligent doctors.”
Mr Ugboma who spoke with journalists after the coroner ruling, said his lawyers will advise him on the appropriate step to take next.
“I’m very happy with the outcome of the inquest, it’s been a very long one. The circumstances of my wife’s death were not satisfactory,” Mr Ugboma said.
The lawyer representing Ugboma’s family, Babatunde Ogungbamila said the family got justice but the best medical services failed his client.
He further said that going forward they will apply for verdict, seek compensation and ensure that the doctors are accountable for their actions.
In June, the Lagos State government shut down the intensive care unit of Premier Hospital, pending the outcome of the coroner investigation
