The Association of Resident Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hosptal, Idi- Araba, have raised the alarm of the increment of medical bills at the tertiary hospital.
The General Secretary, LUTH –ARD, Dr. Adebayo Sekumade , who spoke at a press briefing organised by the association on Sunday, said the increment had reduced patronage at the hospital and also frustrated training of medical doctors.
According to him, patients prefer to go to private hospitals due to the cost of medical services at the government hospital while many emergency cases are left unattended due to costs.
He said, “Patients break down in tears once they are referred to LUTH. Why? LUTH’s admission and surgery fees as well as other sundry charges compare to and, in some instances, are higher than those of surrounding private hospitals making it unaffordable for the average Nigerian.
“For instance, ordinary circumcision at LUTH, which was N5,000 is now N22,000; Oxygen that was free in the past now cost N5,000 per day; paediatric patients admitted for 10 days will pay not less than N50,000. Caesarean Section which was formerly N38, 000 now cost N135, 000.
“Unfortunately, we have many dilapidated facilities here. Doctors now come to the hospital with their own equipment because the facilities are not there to treat patients. Most times, we watch our patients die helplessly while we suffer psychologically.”
The LUTH-ARD President, Dr. Moronkola Ramon, alleged that the increment in medical bills was a move by the hospital management to cover financial mismanagement.
Ramon accused the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Chris Bode, of approving the purchase of brand new vehicles for himself and other top management staff to the tune of N60m while facilities on the wards, clinics and operating theatres were left to rot.
The doctors called for a forensic audit of all federal hospitals to ensure that patients did not continue to pay for medical services that had already being subsidised by the Federal Government.
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