MISSING INTESTINE: Gov Sanwo-Olu visits 12-year-old boy at LASUTH, takes over medical care, expenses

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

Update on the issue of a 12-year-old Adebola Akin-Bright, with allegedly missing intestine at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), says Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has risen to the situation with a visit, on Sunday, to the ailing boy lying sick in bed and his agonising mother, Deborah Abiodun, at the hospital.

During the unscheduled visit to the boy’s LASUTH Pediatric Ward, Governor Sanwo-Olu declared his takeover of all medical bills accruing from his treatments, while also pulling all medical expertise from LASUTH and other resources to save the boy’s life.

The DEFENDER, citing a viral video and other media report, had earlier reported that Deborah Abiodun, had in a Safe Our Soul (SoS) message via a viral video called on Governor Sanwo-Olu, appealing to him to initiate a thorough investigation into the disappearance of her 12-year-old son, Adebola Akin-Bright’s small intestine during his treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos, according to a media report.

She claimed the incident occurred while her son was receiving treatment at LASUTH.

The governor, who was reached by the viral video, spoke on his X social media handle, on Sunday, how he had responded to the sad development.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “I paid an unscheduled visit to Debola Akin-Bright at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

“After listening to Debola’s mum and the medical officers in charge of his care, I gave him my word that I would not only take over his medical care and expenses, I would also ensure that everything is done to get him better, and back at home with his loved ones.”

It will be recalled that problem with Adebola was explained in the viral video to have started when surgeons at LASUTH informed her of the disappearance of her son’s small intestine following a corrective surgery on July 14, 2023.

Adebola began his medical treatment at Obitoks Medical Centre, a private hospital situated in Ile Epo, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, when complications arose from a surgery to address intestinal obstruction, the reported gathered.

Deborah, recounting the traumatic journey, had said that, “Sometime in March this year, my boy started vomiting and stooling, and the hospital we took him to suspected typhoid and he was treated. However, when his condition didn’t improve after about five days, we moved him to another hospital, Obitoks Medical Centre, where it was discovered that he had a ruptured appendix requiring surgery. After about two weeks in the hospital, he emerged looking healthy again and even resumed school, doing well.

“Tragically, in June, Adebola complained of stomach pain, leading us back to the hospital (Obitoks). It was then discovered that he had developed intestinal obstruction, necessitating another surgery.

“There appeared a complication as the boy was still draining bilious fluid more than seven days after the surgery.

“Dr. Abayomi Baiyewu, the CMD at Obitoks, recommended another surgery and even secured the services of a professor from a Teaching Hospital.”

However, Deborah and her family opted for LASUTH, seeking what they believed would be more comprehensive care.

Upon arrival at LASUTH, a series of tests were conducted, and the doctors indicated that Adebola might not require another surgery. Instead, they recommended a conservative treatment and prescribed various medications. However, 25 days later, the Doctors decided that surgery was the best course of action.

However, the consultant surgeon, who performed the surgery, informed Adebola’s mother that his small intestine was missing, and they could not guarantee his survival beyond five days.

Deborah explained that the boy could no longer absorb nutrients from food and might need to rely on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) administered intravenously for the rest of his life.

She lamented: “I was dumbfounded; it was like my whole life was shattered because it was a story that could be told in Nollywood. Where could a 26-feet long small intestine have gone to?”

Deborah said she later contacted the surgeon at Obitoks Hospital, who had handled the previous surgeries, who also expressed surprise that LASUTH claimed they could not locate the boy’s intestine.

Adebola’s mother further claimed that the Doctor at Obitoks Hospital affirmed that he would not have referred them to a government hospital under such circumstances and explicitly detailed his actions in the referral letter.