The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health has directed the Ministry of Health and the State Hospitals Management Board to impose disciplinary measures on all medical personnel found culpable in the d3ath of a pregnant woman and her newborn baby at the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital.
32-year-old Mrs. Ndiana Sunday Amos and her baby d!ed last weekend over alleged negligence by medical personnel at the hospital.
The incident drew widespread outrage and condemnation after her sister, Ndifreke Amos, posted a video accusing the hospital of leaving the deceased unattended for three hours.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Moses Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, made the call on Thursday, September 4, 2025 during a meeting with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John and top officials of the health ministry and hospital board.
Hon. Essien 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.
He sought a second opinion from another doctor who was unavailable. A third doctor was eventually contacted but arrived two hours late.
Essien said the consultant obstetrician on duty 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.
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 N500 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.
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.
The victim’s sister shared some posts on Facebook after her death… see below..
