A Mother's Chilling Hospital Experience Sparks Vital Safety Warning
A Nigerian writer has issued an urgent public health advisory following a frightening incident at a hospital that could have resulted in catastrophic medical consequences. Sally Kenneth Dadzie took to social media to share her personal story, emphasizing a crucial safety measure for all Nigerians seeking medical care.
The Critical Importance of Hospital Companions
In her detailed Facebook post, Dadzie strongly advised that individuals should never visit hospitals alone when ill, nor should they allow loved ones to do so. She recounted a recent experience that transformed her perspective on patient safety within Nigerian healthcare facilities.
"I want to share something with you guys, as this might help you and your loved ones," she began. "Whenever you're ill or your loved one is ill and you end up in any hospital, go with someone or accompany them."
A Narrow Escape from Medical Error
The incident occurred during her daughter's medical treatment last year. While the child wasn't admitted, she required daily injections at the hospital. On the third day of treatment, the facility was exceptionally busy, leading to extended waiting periods.
After finally entering the injection room and waiting approximately ten minutes, a nurse hurried in. As Dadzie was helping her daughter from the chair, she noticed something alarming: the nurse had picked up another patient's medication to administer to her daughter.
"There were four files there, and I'd separated my daughter's file and her shots, because a nurse kept coming in now and then to place them on the table without properly arranging and demarcating them," she explained.
Confronting Healthcare Negligence
The nurse, whom Dadzie referred to as "Nurse Injection," hadn't asked any questions or verified patient identity. She simply selected the medication on top of the pile and prepared to inject it.
"I immediately stopped her," Dadzie recalled. "She frowned and looked at me. She was about to start arguing when I told her that my daughter's name wasn't Grace."
Instead of acknowledging the error, the nurse pretended to examine the file more carefully. "'Ehen!' she said, 'I was wondering how this small girl is 47.'"
This revelation shocked both mother and daughter. "I looked at my daughter, she looked at me. We both shook our heads. File wey you no even open!"
The Broader Implications for Patient Safety
Dadzie expressed deep concern about what might have occurred had she not been present. "I was just imagining what would have happened if I was not there. If someone else, even older, was alone and too ill to check what the nurse was doing, how would the story have ended?"
Her experience highlights systemic issues within some Nigerian healthcare settings, including:
- Rushed medical procedures without proper verification
- Poor organization of patient files and medications
- Defensive responses from healthcare workers when errors are identified
- Lack of standardized safety protocols
Essential Recommendations for Patients
Based on her traumatic experience, Dadzie offers these critical recommendations:
- Always have a companion when visiting hospitals for treatment
- Never allow elderly or seriously ill family members to go alone
- Actively monitor all medical procedures being performed
- Verify medications and dosages before administration
- Speak up immediately when noticing potential errors
"Please, always have someone with you and never let your loved ones go alone," she pleaded. "The incompetence in Nigeria is a virus."
This personal account serves as a powerful reminder that patient advocacy remains essential within Nigeria's healthcare system, where vigilance can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.
