‘Investigations revealed that Dr. Mfon Thomas, the first doctor on call, had documented the patient’s condition, suspected placenta previa and sought a second opinion from Dr. Enobong Udota, who was absent. Another doctor, Dr. EtoroAbasi Okon, who was not on duty, was eventually contacted but arrived about two hours late’
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has blamed Negligence not lack of resources for the tragic death of a pregnant woman and her newborn at Ikot Ekpene General Hospital, an incident that has triggered outrage across the state.
On Monday, 1st September 2025, members of the House Committee on Health, led by it’s Chairman Hon. Moses Essien, paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital to investigate the viral case. The tragedy drew widespread condemnation after a video posted by the deceased’s sister, Ndifreke Amos showed the family in distress without any doctor present to attend to the woman.
Members of the Committee who were received by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Abraham InyangUdo, and representatives of the Hospital Management Board, admitted that the viral incident had prompted the Assembly’s urgent intervention.
Chief Medical Superintendent, Dr. Nene Andem, explained that although four doctors were on 12-hour shifts that day, gaps in duty response contributed to the loss of lives. She clarified that she was at the hospital only for an engineering inspection on the Commissioner for Health’s directive, not for clinical duties.
Investigations revealed that Dr. Mfon Thomas, the first doctor on call, had documented the patient’s condition, suspected placenta previa and sought a second opinion from Dr. Enobong Udota, who was absent. Another doctor, Dr. EtoroAbasi Okon, who was not on duty, was eventually contacted but arrived about two hours late. Crucially, the Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Ekerette Dan, the third doctor on call, was never informed of the emergency.
By the time surgery was performed, the baby had already died. Although the mother was initially stabilised post-surgery, she succumbed to excessive bleeding shortly after.
Hon. Essien condemned the lapses, noting that the hospital was well-equipped and adequately funded but failed due to personal negligence.
“This was not about lack of resources. It was dereliction of duty. A doctor abandoned his responsibility and lives were lost. Those responsible must face sanctions,” he declared.
He assured that the Assembly would recommend strict measures to prevent future occurrences and ensure accountability.
Permanent Secretary InyangUdo acknowledged that the hospital’s duty protocol had collapsed in this case.
“The first and second on-call doctors are required to be on site, while the third, a Consultant, may be off premises but reachable. That system failed. We apologise deeply to the bereaved family, the Assembly, and His Excellency the Governor,” he said.
He further revealed that Governor Umo Eno had already directed a high-powered inquiry into the tragedy.
The Assembly’s Committee on Health is expected to submit its final report after the Commissioner for Health’s appearance on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025. Meanwhile, the Governor’s inquiry is anticipated to chart the path for accountability and reform.
The deaths of the young mother and her newborn have intensified scrutiny of professionalism in Akwa Ibom’s healthcare system, highlighting how negligence, not shortage of resources, can be fatal.
