A man identified as Femi Ojo has reportedly lost his memory following three weeks in a coma at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja. His condition was disclosed to Saturday FRONTPAGE NEWS by a correspondent who visited LASUTH on Tuesday to assess the man’s health.
Although Mr. Ojo could whisper his name, he was unable to provide further details about himself or his family. He attempted to write but struggled with frail limbs, making it difficult for medical staff to gather information that might help identify his relatives.
Ojo was found unconscious on August 10 by a passerby, Ms. Funmi Azike, who was driving along Works Road in GRA Ikeja. After alerting the emergency services and receiving no ambulance, she turned to her church’s Prisons and Hospital Ministry at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, for assistance. The Airforce Hospital responded first, stabilizing Mr. Ojo and providing immediate first aid, as LASUTH initially had no available beds.
Eventually admitted to LASUTH’s Emergency Unit on August 13, Ojo received extensive care, including a CT scan and X-rays. “He was in a coma for almost a month and required oxygen,” Azike said. She noted that she and other ministry members have spent approximately N1.2 million on Ojo’s care.
Despite his stabilization, Mr. Ojo is now scheduled for discharge from LASUTH, with doctors suggesting his address might help locate family. However, tests indicate he has a brain injury likely caused by trauma, adding complexity to his recovery and future care. A hospital staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared that Ojo requires ongoing medical attention for a fuller recovery.
This unfolding story sheds light on the gaps in Lagos State’s emergency response system, the reliance on private intervention for critical cases, and the importance of community support for individuals without immediate family or financial resources in crises.
