The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched an investigation into the deaths of a mother and her newborn at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, following allegations of medical negligence.
The case drew widespread attention after the deceased woman’s sister, Ndifreke Amos, shared a tearful account on her Facebook page, accusing hospital staff of failing to provide urgent medical care.
According to Amos, her pregnant sister was brought to the hospital on Saturday, August 30, 2025, requiring an emergency caesarean section. However, she alleged that no attending doctors were available, and repeated efforts to contact them proved unsuccessful. The patient was reportedly left unattended for more than three hours.
When surgery was eventually performed, the baby was declared dead. By Sunday morning, the mother also passed away due to excessive bleeding.
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In response to the viral post, Governor Umo Eno expressed deep sympathy to the grieving family and directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, to establish a commission of inquiry. The panel, comprising medical and legal experts, is expected to investigate the incident thoroughly and recommend appropriate action.
The tragedy has sparked renewed debate about the state of Nigeria’s public healthcare system, particularly the challenges of maternal and child mortality linked to delayed medical intervention.