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Dala Orthopaedic Hospital Refunds N121m to Patients – CMD

The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, has refunded a total of N121 million to patients from 2023 to date.

A Kano-based radio station recently aired a complaint from a patient, Maryam Usman, regarding the delay in receiving a refund from the hospital, which had lasted for nine months.

She also alleged that when a patient dies, the hospital withholds the body until payment is made.

In response to the allegation, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Nurudeen Isa, described the claims as baseless and damaging to the institution’s reputation. He presented details from the patient’s refund approval and medical file to refute the allegation.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday in Kano, Isa explained that the hospital refunded N106 million to patients in 2024 and an additional N15 million between August and December 2023.

“We inherited refunds exceeding N100 million. In 2022, the hospital refunded N49 million, and in July 2023, N25 million was refunded before I assumed office as the CMD.

“We still have an outstanding refund of N25 million, which we plan to clear by June 2025.

“We have made it a priority because we know this can damage the image of the institution,” he said.

He noted that Usman was admitted to the hospital on September 17, 2024, and discharged on October 3, 2024.

“We approved her refund on November 20, 2024. However, she had not applied for the refund, and no complaint regarding the matter was recorded in the hospital’s SERVICOM department.

“The hospital operates a system where patients make deposits. Upon discharge, they may either owe an additional amount or be eligible for refunds, which we pay back to them,” he said.

According to him, this has been a recurring issue for years, and they have made it a priority to minimize delays and ensure refunds are paid promptly.

“Sometimes, we bill a patient, but the actual cost of care is either higher or lower than estimated. Unfortunately, changes in market prices often mean that some patients consume more than what they have deposited.

“In such cases, we allow them to pay in installments. On the other hand, when patients consume less, we process refunds accordingly,” the CMD noted.

Isa said that the hospital has implemented mechanisms to streamline the refund process, adding that patients must apply for their refunds, and all payments are documented to ensure accountability.

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