The experience of a nurse who allegedly sought immediate care for severe appendicitis at four government hospitals before getting surgery at the private hospital where she worked has been described by a health worker.

The narrator claims that the nurse experienced stomach pain while on duty, which led to attempts to obtain her an ultrasound scan despite purported payment opposition.

According to reports, the scan showed severe appendicitis, necessitating immediate medical care. Despite the nurse’s monthly salary of less than ₦180,000, the narrator stated that the private hospital required a ₦750,000 payment before scheduling her for surgery.

The nurse was transported to a government hospital because the necessary funds could not be met immediately away.

According to the narrator, she was subsequently brought to four other government hospitals but was not admitted.

According to the health worker, “She went to 4 different government hospitals and ‘No bed space’ was all they said and turned them back (not even minding she was a nurse!).”

According to the narrator, the patient, the healthcare provider, and three additional nurses signed a contract permitting salary deductions until the medical cost was paid.

The narrator stated that by the time surgery was done, the appendix had burst, necessitating an exploratory laparotomy instead of the originally planned appendectomy.

The health worker said, “750k became 1.6M and we had to pay it for 5 months till it was completed.”

The narrator, however, confirmed that the nurse eventually recovered, adding, “She is fine now but just putting this out here.”