…After maternal death at illegal facility
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Following the tragic death of a pregnant woman, Chekwube Chinagorom, a 35-year-old woman, at an unregistered private hospital in Abuja, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has ordered a strict crackdown on unregistered hospitals and quack medical practitioners operating within the FCT.
Chinagorom died following a caesarean section at Afolmi Hospital, Durumi – a facility found to be unregistered and operating under unsafe conditions.
Chinagorom was reportedly brought in dead to Asokoro District Hospital after delivering a live baby who was then referred for care. Investigations revealed only one staff member, a junior community health extension worker, was on duty, and the surgery was reportedly performed by an unidentified individual alongside Murtala Jumma, who could not be reached for comment. The Nigeria Police have taken over the investigation to identify and verify the qualifications of those responsible.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister declared: “Henceforth, anyone found to be operating or working in an unregistered health facilities should be arrested and prosecuted.”
Wike lamented that despite the availability of free registration for pregnant women under the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), many still patronize unregistered facilities.
“In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, enjoy free enrollment into the FHIS, which allows them free access, through the Primary Healthcare Centres, to all services covered in the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services.”
He further highlighted that several government hospitals – Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals – have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care centres offering free caesarean sections. He urged pregnant women to take advantage of these free services and avoid quack medical personnel to reduce maternal mortality.