From Isaac Job, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State government has vowed to review the responses of doctors to the healthcare of a pregnant woman who died with her baby during labour and a subsequent caesarean operation, which stoked controversy and public outcry at General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.
A viral video trending on social media at the weekend showed relatives of the deceased pregnant woman crying and lamenting, as the patient and child died because of the alleged negligence of doctors in the hospital.
The relative cried and begged Governor Umo Eno to intervene in the situation, evoking widespread condemnation of the public healthcare delivery system and the attitudes of medical doctors in government hospitals across the state.
But the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel, while reacting to the incident in a press statement, said the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, sympathises with the bereaved family and directed the Commissioner to set up a high-powered Commission of Inquiry into the tragic incident.
According to the statement, the Commission of Inquiry will comprise doctors and legal experts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to prevent future occurrences.
The statement reads in part:
“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media concerning the unfortunate death of a young mother and her newborn following a caesarean birth at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene.
“His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, deeply sympathises with the bereaved family and has directed the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, to immediately set up a high-powered commission of inquiry comprising medical and legal experts to establish the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.”
The Commissioner for Health said he had led a team from the state Ministry of Health to the hospital for an on-the-spot preliminary inquiry ahead of the constituted panel, in compliance with the governor’s directive.
“In line with this directive, the Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, led a team from the Ministry of Health to the hospital at 12:10 a.m. for an on-the-spot preliminary inquiry and to obtain firsthand accounts from relevant stakeholders.
“The Government of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, remains deeply committed to safeguarding the lives of mothers and children and has earlier declared a statewide fight against maternal mortality as a core priority of his administration.
“Over the past months, the Governor has consistently demonstrated this commitment through sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, recruitment of skilled personnel, and strengthening of emergency response systems.”
Ekem assured that the outcome of the probe will be handled with full transparency, adding that any verified case of negligence will attract appropriate sanctions in line with civil service and professional regulations.
He therefore appealed for calm and understanding from the public as the Government works diligently to uncover the facts and take decisive steps to further strengthen maternal and child health in the state.
“The health and safety of every Akwa Ibomite remain the utmost priority of this administration,” he said.
