The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) has petitioned the management of Somolu General Hospital, Lagos State through the office of the Medical Director on a request for improvement in service delivery to the poor and demand for transparency and accountability from the Welfare Department of the hospital on the three million naira (#3m) monthly welfare support from the office of the Chairman of Somolu Local Government.
The letter titled: "Disappointment in the Welfare Department of Somolu General Hospital Due To Poor Utilization of Monthly Health Care Support By Somolu Local Government and Lack of Transparency and Accountability." was also copied to the Executive Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Hon. lateef Ashimi and as well to the state representative of Somolu Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Orekoya.
It reads:
"The monthly Health/ Medical Intervention Scheme, as stated on the form meant to be given to poor/needy patient (Human Rights Monitors Solicited SLG Special Health/ Medical Intervention Scheme) was initiated by HURMA office and started few years back from genuine sacrifice and struggle to rescue the poor in Somolu community as a whole.
Before the commencement of the program, poor people usually approach our office and sometimes turn beggars in the street and religion houses just to meet up with health care demands. Our office also get reports of patients that are neglected and denied treatment by the General Hospital due to lack of fund by the patient's family.
"The Special Health/ Medical Intervention Scheme is meant to address above problem and the form is to be approved by 3 offices, boldly printed on the form:
1. Office of the Local Government Chairman; 2. Somolu General Hospital Medical Director/ Management Team and finally 3. office of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda HURMA.
"As earlier stated above, the scheme is actually meant to cater for poor community members who can not meet up with the hospital demands in attending their health challenges. It is meant to be given completely free for those who are given forms from either of the above offices.
*Increase of the Monthly Support from 2m to 3m*
Due to complaints of too much demands from the public despite poor accountability from the Welfare Department, the Hon. Chairman, Lateef Ashimi was encouraged by the HURMA leadership to increase the support from 2 million naira as laid by former chairman to 3 million naira monthly.
Used Forms are are expected to be collected monthly by the office of the Human Rights Monitors but it is disappointing that the welfare department has failed woefully in this area. Worst still, poor patients refered to the hospital for free medical attention are now redirected by the hospital to go and purchase their drugs outside the hospital and subsequently re-subjected to former situation of seeking help on the street in order to meet up with the financial demands from the hospitals.
"Report from Somolu coordinator of HURMA, Comrade Monsur Akinremi shows that above matter have been discussed with the welfare department but no improvement. This complaint letter is therefore our first step in preventing any individual or office from destroying the great legacy as laid by the immediate past Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Hon. Abdul-Hameed Salawu Dullar, a legacy yet to be met by any Local Government office in Nigeria.
"Aside the Patient's Bill of Rights which mandates transparency and accountability, HURMA office is convinced on the likely prosecutorial status of matter as above established and the urgent need for strong anti-corruption measures.
"We are hereby calling on the office of the Medical Director to commence close monitoring of Somolu General Hospital Welfare Department to ensure that every beneficiary of the "Rights Monitors Solicited Special Health/ Medical Intervention Form" is treated like an orphan to be given utmost attention.
"Although HURMA does not intend escalation of matter to independent Anti-Corruption bodies like EFCC or ICPC with whom we are collaborators, we can decide to wear any garment to ensure necessary relief for the poor members of our society."
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