A staff nurse at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital,
Ado Ekiti, was on Monday beaten up by family members of
a female patient (name not given) who died in the hospital
following a health complication.
It was learnt that the nurse was beaten by children and
relatives of the deceased who were at the hospital when the
woman died.
The patient, who was diagnosed with a terminal liver
illness, died few days after she was admitted at the
hospital.
Eyewitnesses said that the enraged relatives held the hands
of the nurse back while she was being beaten.
An official of the hospital said, “To us, this was not a
reprimand by the relatives of the patient but a clear case of
an attempt to kill an officer of the state.
“We are used to verbal attacks and other forms through
which patients’ relatives react to the death of their loved
ones but this is different.
“The intention was to kill the staff on duty and that is
worrisome.”
Acting Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Dr. Kolawole
Ogundipe, said, “The patient was suffering from a terminal
liver illness. She had been kept at a faith-based home for
months before she was brought to the hospital when they
saw that her condition deteriorated.
“At the ward, all the medication due to the patient was
served by the nurse. The family failed to conduct the tests
prescribed by the doctors; they even failed to buy the
prescribed drugs for the patient.
“While the nurse on duty was waiting, the patient’s
condition deteriorated and the nurse gave her the necessary
injection. The relatives claimed that the injection given by
the nurse caused her death. That was why they transferred
their emotion on the nurse.
“Two of the deceased’s daughters attacked our staff, held
her hands and tried to choke her.
The acting CMD said a security man on duty was also
attacked and injured, “We have since reported the case to
the police. We petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti
State, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, on the matter. We have called
for autopsy to determine the actual cause of the patient’s
death to clear all doubts,” he said.
Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Victor
Babayemi (ASP), said, “We have received the report and
investigation is being carried out on the matter”.

http://www.punchng.com/news/angry-family-members-assault-nurse-over-patients-death/