IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Nigerian woman and single parent, Gift Danjuma, is regretting her decision to go for surrogacy three years after conceiving triplets for a couple in dire need of children.
Danjuma is accusing St. Nicholas Hospital, a top-notch health centre in Lagos State, of medical negligence, stressing that her cervix was affected during an evacuation process after the triplets birth.
“In a voice laced with emotion, she whispered: āEvery day I live, I regret taking the decision to go for that surrogacy. I have spent more than what I was paid and now I canāt conceive. My menstruation flow is irregular and when it does come, itās like going through hell because of the pains. I have gone to several hospitals, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and doctors said they cannot locate my cervix.
“I was told that I needed corrective surgery. I used to be a healthy woman until I went to St. Nicholas Hospital. They damaged me and refused to attend to me.ā
Evans Ufeli of Chambers of Evans Ufeli, who has taken up the case of Danjuma pro-bono, alleged that the ladyās health troubles emanated from complications following a Caesarean Section carried out by Dr. Oluwole Ayodeji at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos Island.
Dr. Oluwole, however, swiftly denied that he or St. Nicholas Hospital was responsible for any health challenges currently being experienced by Danjuma.
According to him, a lot of misinformation was affecting the lady, stressing that her present health situation had nothing to do with the CS or other procedures carried out on her at St. Nicholas Hospital.
Also, Senior EA to the MD, St. Nicholas Hospital, Folasade Paul, admitted that Danjuma was the hospitalās patient three years ago, but added that the lady was in sterling health condition when she was discharged.
Danjuma, a single mom, said it was financial challenges and the need to give her only son the best that prompted her to apply to Meet Surrogate Mothers Agency to be a surrogate.
She revealed that her health had been hellish since the birth of the triplet for the intended parents.
She recalled that it was the intended parents that compelled Meet Surrogate Mothers Agency to instruct her to go to St. Nicholas Hospital to access the best medical attention.
Danjuma remembered feeling that all was not well with her on the second day after the CS. She was in a lot of pain.
She said: āI complained to the nurses and doctors, I was given painkillers, but it didnāt work. I was supposed to be discharged on Saturday, but I told them that I couldnāt go home, not with the way I was feeling. They did a scan, which showed retained particles and enlarged liver.
“Evacuation of the retained particles was done via the cervix and the following day my condition became critical. In fact, I almost died and five doctors were on me. It was during that period that Meet Surrogate Mothers Agency came to fight them.ā
Danjuma said that her health situation has been financially draining. Most times when she does not have money and when the pains start, she would resort to herbs.
She said: āWhenever I complained to Dr. Oluwole, he would shout at me, saying I was not using good hospitals or laboratories.
“I have been complaining for two years to this same St. Nicholas Hospital and to Dr. Oluwole.
“My health challenge has ended two of my relationships. I am presently engaged, but the relationship is shaky because my fiancĆ© wants me to get pregnant before further commitment from him. But I have not been able to conceive.ā