Law Makers Demand Justice For Pregnant Woman, Baby Who Died Due To Negligence By Hospital

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Friday September 5, 2025, joined the growing list of persons and entities, stridently calling for justice, for a pregnant woman and her unborn child both of whom died owing to alleged gross act of negligence by a State-owned medical facility.

At a meeting with the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John ,the Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Moses Essien , issued a marching order for tough disciplinary actions to be  meted out to all the medical personnel involved in the processes that led to the untimely and avoidable death of the pregnant woman woman and her unborn baby.

The state Lawmakers’ position is coming on the heels of the constitution of an investigative committee by the State Governor, Dr Umo Eno, to unravel the actual circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

The Source reports that alleged delays in carrying out an urgent medical intervention by health workers at the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital resulted in the death of the pregnant woman who was said to have been diagnosed with suspected placenta previa.

According to insider sources, one Dr Mfon Thomas ,the first personnel to have attended to the victim, was said to have requested for urgent action and support from colleagues after diagnosing the deceased with placenta previa

However ,  a viral video released  by Ndifreke Amos, a sister of the deceased, claimed that medical personnel at the hospital abandoned the victim who needed urgent caesarean section for her and her unborn child to live. There was no doctor on duty.

According to reports,  there was about a six- hour delay before the needed operation. The delay ultimately led to the death of the pregnant woman and her unborn child.

The 14-member panel which is headed by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Professor Israel Jeremiah, is to determine the immediate and remote circumstances that led to the unfortunate development.

The House Committee Chairman who described the incident as “a preventable tragedy”, which  resulted from a clear case of professional negligence, called on all relevant health authorities in the State including the Health Management Board not to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet.

“The legislators expressed utter dismay over reported shortfall in essential facilities at the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital, despite over N500 million allocation to it in the 2025 appropriation Act.

The Health Committee lamented the near complete absence of essential services such as water and power supply, adequate medical personnel and others at the health facility.

While describing the incident as unfortunate, the State Commissioner for Health, however, vouched for the professional integrity and competence of the health personnel involved.

He assured the House Committee that justice will nevertheless be done, and noted that the panel set up by the Governor to investigate the matter has already started work.