Lady pleads for justice after Gbagada General Hospital allegedly swaps her sister's baby

• A family accused Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, of negligence and alleged baby swapping after the reported death of their newborn
• The mother, a first-time parent, endured delayed treatment, lack of communication, and unprofessional behaviour during her delivery process
• Nigerians have taken to social media, demanding accountability, ethical reforms, and justice for the family

A family has accused Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, of negligence and baby swapping following the heartbreaking death of their newborn. 

The incident, shared by the mother's sister, @Aggie_Lawlaah, on X (formerly Twitter), has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the hospital's practices.

The mother, a first-time parent, was admitted on December 1st after her water broke. Despite her condition, the hospital staff reportedly delayed treatment and failed to communicate effectively. 

She was induced two days later, and the baby, born struggling to breathe, was immediately admitted to the Neonatal Unit (NNU).

The family alleges they were barred from properly seeing the baby, and when a test was conducted on Wednesday evening, the form bore a wrong name. 

On Thursday, December 5, the hospital informed them that the baby had died earlier that morning but did not notify them during the medical emergency.

"My parents were at the hospital overnight, yet no one told them the baby was in critical condition," the sister shared.

The tragedy deepened when the family collected the body for burial and discovered it was not their baby. “We had been given someone else’s baby to bury,” she revealed, calling it the ultimate betrayal.

The family is now demanding justice, accountability from the hospital, and the return of their baby’s remains. 

"Throughout our ordeal, we experienced gross negligence, lack of professionalism, and complete disregard for human dignity," the post read.

This incident has drawn public attention, with many calling for an independent investigation and systemic reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare sector to prevent similar occurrences. The grieving family is demanding justice and answers while mourning their loss.

Nigerians call for accountability, justice 

TheRadar has compiled numerous reactions from X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, reflecting public sentiment towards the case.

@flakkyBanky: “DNA test will settle this, if found wanting, I hope the hospital management will be adequately sanctioned.”

@MistaShuga: “This is really sad, the lack of professionalism in our medical system is beyond comprehension. The hospital staffs need to be held responsible for this lack of negligence. They must provide the right and alive baby.”

@omobaanderson: “Every sector needs refresher courses, especially our law enforcement agencies and health sector. Unlearn some certain things, constantly checking staffs conduct and appraisals. Check staff mental health. In fact do a fresh recruitment everyone reapply again. Zero work ethics.”

@marvel_fabian: “This is so sad, sorry she had to go through that. Nigerian health care system sucks, imagine my mother has been in serious pain for months and what the doctor says is for her to go and lose weight?! Without any tests or anything??”

@m4v3_: “The hospital mgmt should be made to foot the cost of DNA tests to settle all doubts.”

@chiclifewtyle13: “I despise that place. To even collect immunisation for my child my spirit didn’t let me.”

@Iamjeymhie: “The fact that this has become a norm in the Nigerian medical system baffles me. Only God knows how many swap happens on a daily. There’s a lot of greed and wickedness in the heart of Nigerians only to blame it all on government.”

@specialunit254: “The rot is so deep that it has eaten up all sector and every part of the country.”

@godslovee: “Are you sure your sister's baby is really dead? Or is there a "stealing baby operation/ ring" going on and then to cover up they say the baby is dead.”

@kelvin_krtz: “If the swapped baby had survived and the husband did a secret DNA test years later, the wife would find herself facing unfair accusations because of a hospital's misconduct and Incompetence. Sad.”

@tableshaker1: “If I no cause better scene for that hospital make I know why, you guys were too cool with them.”

@brands_n_fashion_: “This is crazy.. pls, if you are going to use a general hospital. Pls, always try to use general hospital gbaja, surulere. They still offer the best treatment and service.”

@leemahpeefoods: “Husbands or close relatives should be granted permission to stay in labor rooms.”

@adiksnoni: “Please put down the names of the Doctors on Duty, if possible their pictures. This is gross misconduct and very unethical. It should go beyond social media rants. I cannot fathom the pains your sister is going through, but this trauma is definitely going to a hard one for the Okolie's.”

@adunolaaaaa: “Thank God the name is there. The Adefisan's should tender their baby for DNA... if the swapping wasn't even done with more than 2 babies.”

@lavender.omoye: “Whatever happened to the oath doctors and nurses took? Why go through school and all that struggle to become useless and mean in the profession. God help us.”

@ladiesthriftstore_backup: “Immediately I gave birth like this I ask them to show me my baby's face and gender. I was so weak but made sure I monitor them till we were taken out of the labour ward.”

@hopeuzoamaka64: “This is a show of gross misconduct, negligence and unprofessionalism. It is also quite a sensitive matter so should be dealt with carefully.”

@hypemanguru: “Una don see say everything nor be cheating abi? I just wonder how many families these hospitals and maternity clinics have caused pains.”

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital faces backlash over alleged poor healthcare services

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) was criticised following a viral social media thread that exposed alarming conditions and severe lapses in patient care. 

The man revealed that patients at UPTH are reportedly forced to consume substandard hospital meals at ₦2,000 per day. He also noted that poor facility maintenance, an infestation of mosquitoes, and overgrown grass contribute to an unsafe hospital environment.