A 44‑year‑old woman, Blessing Okolie, has died in Lagos after undergoing a fibroid surgery during which a pair of surgical scissors was allegedly left inside her abdomen, sparking outrage and calls for a full investigation.
Okolie had the procedure at a private hospital in the Abule‑Egba area, where she was taken into surgery on March 28. According to her family, she was brought out of the operating theatre and placed on a bench instead of a recovery bed, already showing signs of distress.
Her sister, Beady Nnanna, said Blessing immediately complained of severe abdominal pain, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Despite repeated appeals for a post‑operative scan, the hospital reportedly insisted the symptoms were normal and refused further checks.
Days later, after her condition worsened, the family took her to another facility for imaging. The scan reportedly revealed a metallic object inside her abdomen, identified as surgical scissors. A second surgery was carried out to remove the object, but by then her condition had deteriorated sharply.
The family alleges that Blessing suffered prolonged dehydration, inadequate monitoring, and poor emergency response. They also claim the hospital ran out of generator fuel while she was on oxygen, forcing them to move her without medical support.
She was eventually transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where she died hours later after suffering cardiac arrest.
The medical director of the private hospital acknowledged that she developed severe post‑surgical complications but declined to confirm whether scissors were left inside her. He stated that the outcome of the coroner’s inquest and autopsy would determine the official cause of death.
Blessing’s family is demanding justice, calling for the closure of the hospital and prosecution of those responsible. The case has been reported to authorities, and investigations are underway.
