Akwa Ibom Assembly orders sanction as woman, baby die in labour

The death of a pregnant woman and her newborn at the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital has sparked outrage in Akwa Ibom State, prompting both the House of Assembly and Governor Umo Eno to launch separate investigations into alleged medical negligence.

The tragedy, involving 32-year-old Mrs. Ndiana Sunday Amos, drew widespread fury after a video posted online by her sister showed the deceased writhing in labour without adequate medical attention. The video quickly went viral, fuelling calls for accountability across the state.

On Thursday, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health directed the Ministry of Health and the State Hospitals Management Board to impose disciplinary measures on all medical personnel found culpable in the incident.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Moses Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, described the deaths as “preventable” and the result of professional lapses. He warned that the Assembly would not rest until justice was served.

Essien revealed that an unscheduled fact-finding visit to the hospital showed that the late Mrs. Amos was diagnosed with suspected placenta previa by the first doctor on call, Dr. Mfon Thomas.

He sought a second opinion from Dr. Enobong Udota, who was unavailable. Another doctor, Dr. EtoroAbasi Okon, was eventually contacted but arrived two hours late.

Critically, the consultant obstetrician on duty, Dr. Ekerette Dan, was never informed of the emergency. By the time surgery was finally performed, the baby was already dead. Although the mother initially survived the operation, she later succumbed to excessive bleeding.

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Hon. Essien insisted that the Commissioner for Health must take responsibility for the failure. “You are the head of the Ministry of Health, and the cursor is on you,” he told Dr. Ekem John during a heated session at the Assembly complex.

He further questioned why Ikot Ekpene General Hospital remained in poor condition despite a ₦500 million allocation for its rehabilitation in the 2025 state budget. According to him, essential services such as electricity, water, and staffing remain grossly inadequate, undermining Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda for the health sector.

Responding, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, described the deaths as “unfortunate” but defended the competence of the medical team. He confirmed that Governor Umo Eno had already set up a 14-member investigative panel to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

According to Dr. John, the panel has been mandated to review clinical processes, interview hospital staff, and assess the institution’s readiness in terms of manpower and equipment. “All records have been secured, queries have been issued, and nobody will be shielded,” he assured.

The governor’s panel, chaired by Prof. Israel Jeremiah of Niger Delta University, is expected to examine whether negligence, breach of protocol, or systemic lapses led to the deaths. It is to submit its findings within 10 days.

The committee’s membership cuts across medical, legal, administrative, and civil society professionals, including Prof. Maurice Ntiense Utuk, Dr. Nsikak Nyoyoko, Barr. Emem Ette of the Ministry of Justice, and Mrs. Nsikan Udo of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

While inaugurating the panel in Uyo, Dr. John urged members to work “without fear or favour,” stressing the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and preventing similar tragedies.

Meanwhile, public anger remains high, with civil society groups demanding swift sanctions against negligent officers and a comprehensive overhaul of emergency response systems in state-owned hospitals.

As investigations continue, the twin deaths of Mrs. Amos and her baby stand as a painful reminder of the cost of lapses in the health sector and a test case for the government’s promise of accountability.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE