The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched an investigation into the deaths of a young mother and her newborn following a caesarean section at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene.
The development follows a viral video in which a relative of the deceased accused hospital staff of negligence, claiming the woman bled to death from complications during labour. The footage sparked public outrage and calls for accountability.
Governor Umo Eno, in a statement on Sunday, expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, to set up a commission of inquiry made up of medical and legal experts.
According to the statement issued by the Health Ministry, the panel will determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
“In line with the governor’s directive, the Honourable Commissioner led a team from the Ministry of Health to the hospital at 12:10 a.m. for an on-the-spot preliminary inquiry and to obtain firsthand accounts from relevant stakeholders,” the statement said.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to tackling maternal mortality, describing it as a priority under the present administration.
It also promised transparency in the investigation and warned that any proven negligence would attract sanctions in line with civil service and professional regulations.