By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Akwa Ibom State Government has inaugurated a 14-member investigation committee to probe the death of a pregnant woman who allegedly bled to death after being abandoned by doctors on duty at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene.
The committee, set up by Governor Umo Eno, is chaired by Prof. Israel Jeremiah, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 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’s death was first made public in a viral Facebook video posted by her sister, Ndifreke Amos, who wept as she alleged that her sibling died unattended because no doctor was available during the emergency.
Investigations revealed that the patient, who had registered for antenatal services with no prior complications, developed excessive bleeding suspected to be placenta previa. The first doctor on call, Dr. Mfon Thomas, documented her condition and sought a second opinion from Dr. Enobong Udota, who was absent. Dr. EtoroAbasi Okon, who was not on duty, eventually came to the hospital about two hours later, finding the patient still bleeding. The third doctor on call, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Ekerette Dan, was reportedly unaware of the case.
By the time a caesarean section was carried out, the baby had already died, and the mother, though briefly stabilised, succumbed to excessive bleeding.
Chief Medical Superintendent, Dr. Nene Andem, told the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health during its unannounced oversight visit that four doctors were officially on a 12-hour shift that day. She explained that she was in the hospital for an engineering inspection of the X-ray department at the Commissioner for Health’s directive, but quickly intervened when informed of the situation.
Speaking on his efforts, Dr. Okon admitted: “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.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Moses Essien, condemned what he described as sheer negligence, stressing that the incident was not caused by poor facilities but by doctors failing in their duty.
“We cannot tolerate negligence that costs lives. Those responsible must face sanctions. This tragedy was traced to personal negligence by a doctor on call who failed to turn up for duty. It was not about lack of resources but dereliction of responsibility. Lives were lost because a doctor abandoned duty. We will recommend measures to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence,” Essien said.