Outrage As Lagos Hospitals Allegedly Deny Treatment, Leading To Death Of UNILAG Final Year Law Student
A wave of grief and public outrage has swept across social media following the tragic death of Christine Ibiba Eniola Tom-West, a final-year Law student at the University of Lagos, who reportedly died after multiple Lagos hospitals allegedly failed to provide timely emergency care following a fatal car accident.
Christine was among passengers involved in a ghastly motor accident on their way back from the widely attended #NSPPDLagosConference.
Eyewitnesses and family accounts claim that the first medical facility, Griggs Specialist Hospital, refused to offer any form of treatment. Another hospital, Safeway Hospital in Sangotedo, was said to lack oxygen—an essential life-saving tool.
She was eventually taken to the General Hospital in Epe, where she was allegedly met with what family sources described as a “lackadaisical attitude” from staff and a critical shortage of basic medical supplies. Christine succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter.
Her untimely death has sparked heated discussions online about the dire state of emergency medical services in Nigeria.
A family statement reads: “We have been mourning the death of the beloved daughter of our CEO, Christine Ibiba Eniola Tom-West, a final year law student of the University of Lagos in a ghastly motor accident on their way back from #nsppdlagosconference. The first hospital @griggs_specialist_hospital totally refused to iron thier gte to treat them.l, the second hospital @ Safewayhospital Sangotedo had no oxygen for emergency, then finally at the general hospital Epe with very lackadaisical attitude and lack of basic things, you finally gave up.
“The system was against us. We are assured that you are in a better place resting with the Lord. May your gentle soul continue to rest in peace. We miss you sorely.”
Social media users have flooded comment sections with anger and condolences:
Jideofor_stan wrote: “Tomorrow somebody will ask why some spend ₦40 million on japa (emigration) plans. This is one of the top five reasons. Hospitals abroad cannot reject emergency cases without serious consequences.”
kpefdef_ lamented: “I hate it when people die avoidable deaths. So painful.”
timikiks added: “There should be a law prohibiting hospitals from rejecting emergency cases without giving first aid.”
mobututunde fumed: “A time will come in Nigeria when someone will go gaga with all this lackadaisical attitude of hospital staff. Maybe only then change will happen.”
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Nigerian healthcare system has long faced criticism for poor infrastructure, underfunding, and inconsistent emergency response services. This incident adds to the growing demand for reforms, especially laws enforcing compulsory first-response treatment in emergencies, irrespective of payment or documentation status.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
