Lagos Hospitals' Payment Issues Persist Despite Investigation

Eight months after a THISDAY newspaper investigation titled “How Single-provider Payment System Deepens Healthcare Barriers, Endangers Lives,” uncovered a monopolistic payment system in Lagos public health facilities, patients continue to struggle with access to treatment. The investigation revealed that a single payment provider manages transactions across 36 public hospitals, often leading to denied treatment and exploitation during system downtimes.

Mrs. Kafayat Oshodi's viral video recounts her emergency experience at Randle General Hospital, where she was unable to use her debit cards for e-payment and was forced to pay cash, despite the government's push for cashless transactions. The government’s response to her claims was evasive, failing to address the core issue of cash demand in hospitals.

Experts suggest adopting a multi-provider payment system to ensure seamless transactions and improve patient access to care, especially given Nigeria's connectivity challenges.