Hospital Faces Backlash As Staff Allegedly Deny Admission To Newborn Baby over Mother’s Niqab

A Muslim media outlet sparked controversy when it accused University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan staff of rejecting a sick newborn due to the mother’s refusal to remove her niqab. Muslim News Nigeria shared a video depicting the encounter at the hospital………CONTINUE READING

In the video, medical professionals in scrubs explain to the parents that entry into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) requires a change into scrubs to prevent the spread of infections to vulnerable newborns. The hospital staff emphasized their adherence to this rule to safeguard preterm babies who are highly sensitive.

The father of the newborn, however, rejected their explanation, insisting that the rules should have been communicated before payment. The video stirred mixed reactions upon its online sharing.

One user expressed frustration, stating, “Wallahi, I will turn that place upside down. That’s a government facility, not a private one.” Nonetheless, several users argued that the safety of other infants should not be compromised for one mother’s preference.

Medical professionals joined the discourse, asserting that lengthy coverings like the niqab and external clothing are not permitted in the NICU. A doctor shared personal experience, recounting the practice of changing into scrubs, covering hair, and wearing face masks in the ICU to maintain a sterile environment. The doctor criticized the notion of introducing an unsanitized “hijab” into an ICU, particularly when dealing with children with compromised immunity.

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