Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Accused of Exploitative Charges in Critical Pediatric Care E

The healthcare system in Enugu has come under intense scrutiny following a distressing incident at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane Enugu where a child living with sickle cell disease reportedly faced extortion from a senior medical officer during a life-saving procedure.

According to Gloria Omaliko-Kalu, a family member involved in the case, the child fell critically ill and was rushed to Parklane Hospital. “After initial examinations, the first doctor identified abnormalities in her white blood cell count and explicitly stated that the child urgently needed a complete blood exchange,” she said. The family was subsequently referred to the Sickle Cell and Cancer Department for further care.

Upon arrival, the family was told to wait until they could see the Head of Department, who reportedly demanded a ₦10,000 consultation fee before attending to the child. “We were shocked that this was in a government teaching hospital,” Ms. Omaliko-Kalu lamented.

Following consultation, the Head of Department allegedly confirmed the urgent need for a blood exchange but then demanded an additional ₦50,000 service charge, instructing the family that if they refused, the child would only be attended to “when she had time.” Ms. Omaliko-Kalu stated that the family attempted to explain that the child was registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), but the doctor reportedly responded: “If you are not ready to pay, that is your problem.”

Ms. Omaliko-Kalu recounted the doctor’s justification for the demand: “She said she needed money to fix her car and roof her house, and that she was not doing charity. When we reminded her this was a government hospital, she simply repeated her stance and walked away.”

Faced with the life-threatening condition of their child, the family reluctantly paid the demanded fee. The blood exchange procedure was ultimately carried out by doctors and nurses in the children’s ward, while the Head of Department remained absent. “During the procedure, she was nowhere to be found. It was the dedicated doctors and nurses who saved our child,” Ms. Omaliko-Kalu said.

The situation worsened days later when the child required antibiotic injections. The Head of Department allegedly demanded a further ₦5,000 “service charge”, despite the family having purchased all necessary medications and supplies. Ms. Omaliko-Kalu described this as “purely extortion, exploiting vulnerable patients and their families in a government facility.”

“This is not just about money,” she said. “It is about ethics, humanity, and the sanctity of life. A system where parents must choose between paying illegal fees and watching their child suffer has lost its soul.”

The incident has sparked concerns about the ethics and governance of government teaching hospitals in Enugu State, raising questions about whether such practices have become normalized and whether NHIS coverage is being undermined.

Healthcare advocates and concerned citizens are now calling on Enugu State authorities, including Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to investigate the matter, ensure accountability, and implement strict guidelines that protect patients from exploitative charges in public hospitals.

Ms. Omaliko-Kalu concluded: “We trusted the hospital to provide care for our sick child. Instead, we were confronted with demands for personal payments, even under NHIS. Something is deeply wrong, and it must be addressed immediately.”

This incident underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to medical ethics in state-run teaching hospitals, particularly when caring for children and vulnerable populations.