Outrage as UCH Ibadan rejects sick newborn baby over mother’s refusal to remove her veil (Video)

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan has allegedly rejected a sick newborn baby over the mother’s refusal to remove her veil.

It was gathered that the 4-day-old baby brought in around 11:30 pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, was refused treatment at the emergency children’s ward of the hospital.

The baby’s father, Sobur Opeyemi Rafiu, who gave the details of the ordeal on his Facebook handle, said he was made to pay some bills before those attending to them informed his wife that she could not be allowed access to the ward with her veil.

He said; “I don’t really know how to put this but I can’t let it go. They just rejected my 4 days old baby this night around 11:30pm at the emergency children ward of University College Hospital, Ibadan-UCH just because his mother and our neighbour who followed us there put on a veil.

“The most painful part is that they didn’t tell us initially until after I paid some bills at universal laboratory which is ₦15,800 and I was told to come and fill a refund form in the morning in order to take back my money.

“It was after I made the payment at the laboratory and I was trying to go and get other prescriptions in the treatment sheet I received a call from my wife that she was asked to remove both her hijab and veil before they can attend to my 4 days old baby 😭😭😭.

“The other member of their staff in the laboratory tried his possible best to appeal to them at the emergency children ward to attend to the baby but they insisted that it’s either we comply with their rule or we leave for another hospital. I’m writing this at 1:00am and I’m sad.”

In the video attached to the post, the father was heard asking for the reason why the baby had to be rejected because the mother was on a veil.

A presumed senior nurse in the video stated that it is a rule in the unit not to allow such dress for security and medical purposes, adding that it’s not a rule against any religion or belief.

This was corroborated by Hassan Adekola Busari, who commented on the post saying: “Hhhmmm! My brother! May Allah give your baby complete shifaa’, aameeeeeen! This Hospital unit should be Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Ward if I’m not mistaken.

“Forgive me to say this. As a Muslim, using veil by Muslim women is part of Islam. I’m a father. I experienced this before now. However, in this particular ward, it’s a tradition that whoever wants to stay with the baby should not put on a loosen garment that can be easily attracted to microorganisms or dirt.

 “I’m not a doctor nor paramedic. They will be asked to remove their Niqaab or Ijaab and also put on a slipper belonging to the ward.”

However, many condemned the hospital for being unprofessional, saying no matter the rule, the safety of the baby should be paramount. Others said it’s not an isolated case of embarrassment and harassment being faced by women using veil and niqab.

Rasheed Muhammed said; “Subhannallah. This is very sad, even if there are rules and regulations stated by the hospital, the safety of the baby should come first and moreso she said for security reasons, what are the security at the main entrance checking and why are they there Please I would advise you take the baby to any other hospital to look after his/her health. May Allah ease our affairs and grant the baby complete Shiffa.”

Umu Abdulmannan wrote; “Is UCH different from it’s counterpart teaching Hospitals? My child was once admitted in UMTH pediatric /Neonates ward14 years ago even when insecurity was very tense in Maiduguri then. No one harass me even for once to remove my Nikob ,I opened and closed the phototherapy at will to check if my baby is okay without anyone complain. May ALLAH heal Yorubaland, it’s very worrisome.”

Aboo Aamir; “Still, it doesn’t justify their rejecting the baby. In fact, the baby can be attended to without any relative being with him or her. Or that they politely ask for someone else to stay with him/her. There is morbid bigotry in those people. They frustrate the Muslims. They are everywhere in the government hospitals. Quite unfortunate that they use some Muslim health professionals for the hatchet job sometimes. I personally have a lot of examples viz Ifè, Ede, Ibadan, etc.”

Jelili Gbadamosi reacted; “Sincerely, we are all with you for the wrong decision before their action of rejecting the child. Meanwhile, the soul of the baby is paramount to be catered for by both parties amicably. If they are adamant, you or another person should have stood for the baby. I pray that if they have sinister minds on the issue, their work of several years will be in vanity, insha Allah as they toy with a new blood life.”

Shefiu Badmos said; “Yes, rules are bound to be followed but read the report especially the last sentence where the father said they said they will not attend to the baby except the mother removes her veil. Why couldn’t they admit the baby and ask the mother to stay outside at least to save the soul? The Nurse even mentioned security reason, what type of security threat the veil portends after screening at the gate by their security personnel at that hours of the night?”

Onifade Adeshina reacted; “Both political and legal actions should be taken simultaneously. The culprit must be identified and drag to court while the hospital should be occupied until the bastard is suspended and made to face the music. It’s a deliberate ploy by the christians in the South West Nigeria that Muslims in the South West don’t enjoy government basic welfare packages in peace”