‘I don’t want to go blind’—schoolgirl appeals for help after hospital rejection

An underage pupil of Christ Church School, Mapo, Ibadan, Miss Farida Ismail, has alleged that officials in the Records Department of Adeoyo Specialist Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, denied her access to medical care despite her deteriorating eye condition, prompting calls for an investigation into the incident.

Farida, who is battling a severe eye defect, said she visited the Oyo State-owned hospital on Monday in search of urgent medical attention but was allegedly refused treatment.

The pupil, who was identified for treatment under the “Catch Them Young Initiative” about three months ago, expressed fears that continued delays in receiving specialist care could result in permanent loss of her eyesight.

According to Farida, she arrived at the hospital in her school uniform and was accompanied by her caregivers but was allegedly informed by officials in the Records Department that no additional patients could be attended to that day.

She claimed the decision left her without the medical attention she urgently needed.

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Speaking emotionally, the schoolgirl appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde, philanthropists, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to come to her aid by supporting the cost of her treatment.

“My eyes are almost gone. My father has no legs, while my mother survives through a small roadside business. I don’t want to become blind because of poverty. I appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde and every compassionate Nigerian to help me,” she said.

Reacting to the alleged incident, the Chief Executive Officer of Iseya Television, Mrs. Ayodeni Aluko, condemned what she described as the poor treatment meted out to the young patient.

She alleged that at least five other patients who visited the hospital on the same day were also unable to access treatment because of the conduct of officials in the Records Department.

Aluko urged the Oyo State Government to investigate the allegations, sanction any officials found culpable and strengthen accountability and service delivery in public healthcare facilities across the state.

She said no patient, particularly a child requiring urgent medical attention, should be denied access to healthcare because of administrative procedures.

Despite the alleged experience at Adeoyo Specialist Hospital, Aluko commended the management and medical personnel of Oni and Sons Hospital and Eleta Eye Institute, whom she said promptly attended to the pupil after she left the government hospital.

She also acknowledged Mrs. Adeyemo for donating N50,000 towards Farida’s treatment and appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and charitable groups to support the girl’s medical expenses.

The Head Teacher of Christ Church School, Mapo, Mr. Olufemi Olaniyi, described Farida as a brilliant, disciplined and hardworking pupil whose education and future should not be jeopardised by her health challenges.

He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to assist the pupil in accessing the specialist treatment she requires, expressing hope that timely intervention would help preserve her eyesight.