Three doctors at the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital in Akwa Ibom State are under investigation after the death of a pregnant woman, Ndiana Amos, and her baby, which was allegedly caused by medical negligence.
The House of Assembly Committee on Health recommended the Ministry of Health and the State Hospitals Management Board take disciplinary action against medical staff following their investigations into the deaths of Amos and her baby.
Moses Essien, chairman of the committee and member representing the Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, delivered the decision at a meeting with the commissioner for health, Dr. Ekem John, and top ministry and hospital board officials at the Assembly complex on Thursday.
According to a viral video released online by her sister, the dead woman and her infant died last weekend as a result of suspected medical malpractice.
The clip sparked great outrage throughout the state, causing Governor Umo Eno to launch an investigation into the event.
Following an unexpected fact-finding visit to the hospital on Monday, the committee determined that the tragedy was caused by negligence rather than a lack of resources.
The committee’s findings found that Dr. Mfon Thomas, the first doctor on call, noted the patient’s condition, which was suspected to be placenta previa, and requested a second opinion from Dr. Enobong Udota, who was not there.
Another medical doctor, Dr. Etoro Abasi Okon, who was not on duty, was eventually reached but arrived nearly two hours late.
According to the report, the third doctor on call, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Ekerette Dan, was never told of the emergency.
“By the time surgery was performed, the baby had already died. Although the mother was initially stabilized post-surgery, she succumbed to excessive bleeding shortly after,” the committee noted.
Essien was disturbed by the results and pledged that the Assembly will not rest until those involved are sanctioned.
He asked the health commissioner to take responsibility and make appropriate recommendations to the governor.
He described the situation as a “preventable tragedy” and blamed it on professional errors by on-duty personnel.
