Three doctors at the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital in Akwa Ibom State are under scrutiny following the death of a pregnant woman, Ndiana Amos, and her baby, allegedly caused by medical negligence.

The House of Assembly Committee on Health directed the Ministry of Health and the state Hospitals Management Board, to apply disciplinary action against the medical personnel following its investigations on the cause of Amos and her baby’s death.

Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Moses Essien, issued the directive during a meeting with the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, and top officials of the ministry and hospital board at the Assembly complex on Thursday.

The deceased reportedly died alongside her baby last weekend following alleged medical negligence, according to a viral video posted online by her sister.

The footage had triggered widespread outrage across the state, prompting Governor Umo Eno to order a probe into the incident.

Following an unscheduled fact-finding visit to the hospital on Monday, the committee concluded that negligence, not lack of resources, was responsible for the tragedy.

The committee said its findings revealed that the first doctor on call, Dr. Mfon Thomas, had documented the patient’s condition, suspected to be placenta previa, and sought a second opinion from Dr Enobong Udota, who was absent.

Another medical doctor, Dr EtoroAbasi Okon, who was not on duty, was eventually contacted but arrived about two hours late.

It said 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,” the committee noted.

Disturbed by the findings, Essien vowed that the Assembly would not rest until sanctions were imposed on those responsible.

He directed the health commissioner to take responsibility and make necessary recommendations to the governor.

He described the incident as a “preventable tragedy” and blamed it on professional lapses by on-duty staff. (Saturday PUNCH)