The family and associates of Blessing Ngozi Okolie have demanded justice over her death, alleging that medical negligence at OAR Medical Centre caused complications after surgery and ultimately claimed her life.
The allegations were contained in a public statement by supporters, who accused the facility and its Medical Director, Dr. Abiodun Ojifinni, of negligence.
According to the account, Blessing underwent surgery on Saturday, 28 March, 2026 at the Abule Egba hospital.
However, relatives said concerns arose almost immediately after the procedure, prompting repeated appeals for urgent intervention that were allegedly ignored.
Accordingly, the family claimed she was made to walk upstairs only hours after surgery despite her fragile condition.
In addition, they alleged that her first post-operation meal was Milo mixed with milk, a development that reportedly alarmed relatives.
They further stated that she remained in severe pain, while abdominal swelling continued to worsen.
Furthermore, the family alleged that repeated requests for proper diagnostic tests, including scans, were dismissed by medical personnel.
They claimed concerns raised by relatives were met with hostility, with staff accusing them of trying to “teach professionals their job.”
The situation reportedly worsened 11 days later after the family sought help elsewhere and insisted on further evaluation.
It was then, they alleged, that a pair of scissors was discovered inside her body.
Despite the alleged discovery, supporters said the hospital failed to refer her to a better-equipped medical facility.
Instead, they claimed, a second surgery was conducted on Tuesday 7 April, 2026, to remove the object when Blessing was already critically weak.
Subsequently, the family alleged that requests for referral to an advanced hospital were denied.
They stated that her condition deteriorated further after the second surgery, with severe swelling, visible distress and other complications.
They also accused hospital staff of poor communication, while claiming the attending doctor was absent for several days during a critical stage of treatment.
According to the statement, the crisis deepened on Saturday, 11 April, 2026 when the hospital allegedly ran out of fuel while Blessing was on oxygen support.
They said a referral was only issued after intense pressure from relatives, who were reportedly told she could wait until morning for electricity to be restored.
Consequently, Blessing was moved around 3 a.m. by a family member, without medical personnel, to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where she was admitted into intensive care.
At LASUTH, medical evaluation reportedly revealed that she was suffering from severe sepsis, a life-threatening condition often linked to untreated infection.
Tragically, she died within 24 hours of admission, according to the family.
Supporters described Blessing as “strong, hopeful, and full of faith,” adding that she continued to defend the hospital days after surgery.
They also portrayed her as vibrant, courageous and resilient, insisting that her death was both a personal tragedy and a wider warning about declining healthcare standards.
The family and supporters have called for urgent investigations by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, National Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian Medical Association, alongside civil society and healthcare advocacy groups.
They demanded “a full and independent investigation,” accountability for all responsible parties and immediate reforms to prevent similar occurrences.
“Justice for Blessing Okolie is not just about one life, it is about protecting every Nigerian who walks into a hospital trusting they will be cared for, not harmed,” the statement added.
