The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos State Chapter, has exonerated nurses from trending stories in the media in relation to the death of the ex-BBNaija Housemate, Patrick Fakoya (Rico Swavey), which claimed that nurses recorded the viral video of the deceased when he was in need of urgent medical attention.
Late Swavey was rushed to Doren Hospital on 11 October, 2022, following a motor vehicle accident and was pronounced dead on 13 October, 2022.
In response to the viral video alleged to have been recorded by nurses, NANNM, in a press statement made available to Pharmanewsonline and signed by the Chairman, Mr Julius Awojide, said it should be immediately doubtful that a registered nurse would act in that reckless manner and abandon a patient in such a state to make a video clip or even violate their privacy.
“The association has made the necessary enquiry and it is clear that the nurses did not make the video. They instead asked the person who was making the video to stop and assist in lifting the patient into a vehicle for him to be transported to a more resourced facility after their initial medical interventions. This is corroborated by the hospital's report of the incident”, Awojide said.
Speaking further on the unfortunate incident, he disclosed that the nurses are conscious of the weight of responsibility they assumed in caring for others and that it is a disservice to the sacrifice they make every day for the well-being of others for the media to exploit every available opportunity to cast aspersions on them.
Awojide said: “It is sad and unfortunate that the patient died. We express our deep condolences to his family and associates in this time of grief and pray for the repose of his soul.
“However, we take exception to the hasty misrepresentation and castigation of nurses and the Nursing profession by the media over this video. It bears a now familiar pattern of blaming nurses at every opportunity for mishaps in healthcare facilities. It betrays the restraint and professionalism that is expected of media experts who understand the implications of their actions.
“Nigeria-trained nurses are already leaving the country in record numbers and practicing in many developed countries without any challenge. The nurses who are still remained here are unfortunately still underpaid, overworked and undervalued are at the receiving end of the effects of this preconceived notion of the profession fueled majorly by the many years of misrepresentation by the film industry and serial contact with quacks or impersonators of the nursing profession.
“We demand that all media outlets who defamed the nurses and the Nursing profession by their reportage on this video to apologise and immediately make amends to their misleading stories,” he stated.
The NANNM Chairman further assured the public that nurses who have been trained and licensed by the appropriate bodies deliver care with empathy and would always put the interest of their patients first.
“Always ensure you entrust your care into the hands of professional nurses and not quacks.
“Again, we commiserate with the family and friends of the patient to whom his demise is most devastating. We pray for the fortitude to bear the loss”, he noted.
