The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it has opened an investigation of possible consumer rights violations that led to the death of two patients in Lagos and Ogun.

A statement by Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, said FCCPC had issued “Notices of Commencement of Investigation & Summons to Produce” to relevant persons and entities.

Mr Irukera said the investigations would be into the death of Peju Ugboma after a surgical/medical procedure at Premier Hospital, Victoria Island, and Omolara Omoyajowo after receiving care at Beachland Specialist Hospital, Arepo.

He added that the investigation followed alleged mismanagement, including failure of professional standards, patient care/customer service standards, and timely responses to requests from the deceased’s loved ones.

Mr Irukera explained that the commission would investigate whether the hospitals respected applicable standards of care in compliance with their rights, including providing redress or remedies for the patients.

“With respect to late Mrs Ugboma, available information suggests that she was admitted at Premier Hospital, Victoria Island, on April 22, to undergo what appeared to be an elective procedure.

“The information also implies that the procedure appeared to be uneventful, and the patient survived the operation. However, after the procedure, complications may have arisen, but the hospital continued management, including intensive care,” stated the FCCPC.

It added, “On April 25, a decision was made to transfer the patient for further care and management to Evercare Hospital, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. She was transferred accordingly but ultimately died in the afternoon of the same day.

“Similarly, the late Omoyajowo was admitted at Beachland Specialist Hospital in Arepo, Ogun state, on May 5, where she was receiving medical attention. Her condition appeared to deteriorate, and the hospital decided that the patient needed to be transferred to a teaching hospital in Lagos state. She was declared dead on arrival at the next facility on May 6.”

The commission, however, invited information from the public that may assist in the investigation.

(NAN)