Sanction patient, relation that conceal information

Our Reporter

THE Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, has called for sanction against any patient or relation that concealed health status and travel history to caregivers.

Mr Sesan Olajide, Director, LUTH Legal Services, spoke in a statement yesterday in Lagos, following the recent development where a patient brought to the hospital was later found to be COVID-19 positive after his death in the hospital.

Olajide said that healthcare personnel would not be able to give their best when they were apprehensive or not sure of their own safety in the course of their duties.

He said: “It is not debatable that failure to provide correct travel history exposes healthcare personnel to actual harm or risk of harm.

“Therefore, it is being suggested that Covid-19 specific Laws and Regulations should make it mandatory for persons seeking medical care or persons accompanying them to make full disclosure about travels in and out of Nigeria.

“Failure to do so or concealment or misleading information in that regard, should attract severe punishment. Such provision should also be given the necessary publicity.

“Concealing information from healthcare personnel could not only be detrimental to the patient, but may expose caregivers, other patients and the public to risk of harm or actual harm.

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