FROM ONYEKACHUKWU MELUWA, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State government has set up a 14-member committee to probe the death of a pregnant woman who allegedly died of neglect at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene.
The committee, inaugurated by Governor Umo Eno, is chaired by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Professor Israel Jeremiah.
Other members include representatives of the Ministry of Health, Nursing Services, Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Civil Service Commission, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
The woman, who reportedly died after undergoing a caesarean section, was identified in a viral Facebook video by her sister, Ndifreke Amos.
In the footage, Amos alleged that her late sister was abandoned because no doctor was available to attend to her.
Findings showed that the first doctor on call, Dr Mfon Thomas, had documented the patient’s bleeding condition, suspected to be placenta previa, and sought a second opinion from Dr Enobong Udota.
However, Udota was absent, leaving Dr Etoro Okon to stand in.
Okon, who was not on duty that day, reportedly arrived the hospital about two hours later, only to find the woman still bleeding.
The Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Ekerette Dan, the third doctor on call, was unaware of the case.
Despite having registered for antenatal services with no prior complications, the woman allegedly did not receive timely intervention and bled to death.
Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Nene Andem explained to the House of Assembly Committee on Health, led by Moses Essien, that four doctors were officially on a 12-hour shift that day.
She said she was at the hospital for an engineering inspection of the X-ray department on the commissioner for health’s instruction, but intervened swiftly when informed of the case.
Dr Okon, in his defence, said “by the time the caesarean section was eventually performed, her baby had died. She later passed on due to excessive bleeding, though initially stabilised after the surgery.”
Essien, who led the committee’s unannounced oversight visit, expressed dismay that negligence rather than lack of resources caused the tragedy.
“We cannot tolerate negligence that costs lives. Those responsible must face sanctions. Our oversight today is to uncover the root cause and ensure justice for the deceased and her family.
“This was not about lack of facilities, it was dereliction of responsibility. A doctor abandoned his duty and lives were lost. We will recommend appropriate directives to prevent recurrence and ensure accountability,” he said.
