Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has shared a chilling account of his recent near-death encounter at a hospital in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.
Dalung disclosed that he fell critically ill on Wednesday and was rushed to the hospital. However, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he soon lost consciousness after being interviewed by doctors.
In a social media post made on Friday, the ex-minister detailed his ordeal, revealing that he was initially taken to the emergency ward but was left unattended for over four hours due to the non-payment of admission deposits.
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He recounted how he regained partial consciousness, managed to arrange the deposit payment, and was eventually attended to by hospital staff.
He wrote, “After that, I fell into unconsciousness again for about seven hours. To God be the glory, I have been discharged after three days and recovering.
Were it not for partial consciousness to pay the deposits, I would have been Mr. late. Many Nigerians have gone this way. Where is our humanity?”
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Speaking to newsmen, Dalung expressed bewilderment at the hospital’s treatment, stating that despite his condition, officials insisted on receiving an N80,000 deposit before administering treatment.
Dalung questioned the lack of compassion from the hospital’s management, especially considering his long-standing relationship with the institution. He highlighted the hospital’s familiarity, having undergone medical checkups and received treatment there in the past.
Dalung criticized the lack of communication regarding his diagnosis upon discharge, emphasizing his insistence on speaking with the doctor to understand the treatment he received.
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“They discharged me without even telling me what they treated me for, so I insisted I wanted to see the doctor and that I won’t leave until I saw him.
I went on to see him, and I asked him, ‘You have discharged me. What did you treat me for?’ He told me it was high malaria concentration and infection. I walked out.” Dalung recounted.
The former minister’s harrowing experience has sparked discussions about the state of healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the need for compassion and efficiency in medical emergencies.