Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district, took part in the investigative hearing by the joint committee on Health, Federal Capital Territory, and Police Affairs on the denial of treatment to victims of gunshot wounds and other emergencies on Tuesday, February 6.
The hearing arose from the motion moved over the alleged denial of treatment to late Miss Greatness Olorunfemi at Maitama General Hospital, Abuja. Olorunfemi was reportedly stabbed and thrown out of a moving vehicle on September 26, 2023, along the Maitama-Kubwa Highway. It was reported in a viral video that the medical team at Maitama General Hospital, Abuja, requested a police report and denied her treatment.
Recall that at the break of the news, Senator Ned Nwoko decried the system of compulsory police reports before providing medical care to gunshot victims or any other emergency cases, through a press statement made available by his media office.
Following the senator’s press statement, he submitted an urgent motion where he, among other prayers, called on the Senate committees on ethics, police, and health to foster a collaborative approach between healthcare institutions and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the pursuit of justice does not compromise the right to life and immediate healthcare.
However, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River senatorial district, submitted a motion addressing similar issues ahead of Senator Ned Nwoko’s motion.
During the hearing, the management of the hospital denied the allegation, adding that CCTV footage obtained during an independent investigation set up by the Minister of FCT proved the deceased was attended to immediately she was brought in and declared dead on arrival by the medical team on duty. However, the testimony from YALINETWORK, a group of which Miss Olorunfemi was a member, was opposite to what the hospital stated. The management of the hospital further noted that they are open to any further investigation by the Senate.
The hearing had in attendance Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, representative of the Minister of Health, NMA President, amongst other stakeholders.
