BY KINGSLEY UDUAK
All is not well in St Lukes Hospital Anua in Uyo following its refusal to release medical report/record of some babies born in the hospital.
All is not well in St Lukes Hospital Anua in Uyo following its refusal to release medical report/record of some babies born in the hospital.
The medical institution it was gathered had stubbornly declined the release of the medical report/record of the little baby Kemfonabasi Iniobong Nkaimaha even two years after delivery making it very hard for any hospital to attend to the health condition of the Baby.
Baby Kemfonabasi was born on 16th May, 2014 with what the Doctor termed as severe birth asphyxia due to prolonged labour and a failed induction.
Our reporter was informed by the father of the baby Mr. Nkaimaha that “on the 14th of May, 2014, his wife had gotten to the hospital for her routine check – up and said she was asked to be admitted as her expected date of delivery was overdue. She was induced for two days. She passed through severe pains and agony until 3:00am on the 16th of May, 2014 after service of failed induction; the nurses decided to conduct episiotomy and used a vacuum to extract the baby under the supervision of a serving corps member.
Mr. Nkaimaha added that “the baby was thereafter rushed to the nursery section but that and medical attention was given immediately. Based on this improper management, the child started developing seizure. At the nursery section another female serving corps member who identified herself as the Doctor on call, on arrival referred the child to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH):
He further commented that “At the Teaching Hospital the baby was placed on oxygen for one month; blood transfusion among other test were done and carried out just to revive the baby before they referred her to the physiotherapy unit. Since then we have spent a fortune on drugs and medical attention. We have also visited the Ibom Specialist Hospital in search for help for this child.”
Speaking further, the father of the child said he had earlier applied to St. Lukes Hospital for the medical report/record of the baby but that the hospital vehemently declined, giving him all sorts of excuses.
Our reporter also learnt that the Ministry of Health, Akwa Ibom State has also applied to the hospital for the medical report and history of the child, and it was also turned down.
He stated that his inability to get this report has thwarted efforts of getting medical/financial support to help make the baby come to her feet.
Nkaimaha averred that because of the way he was treated and frustrated by the hospital, he was compelled to seek legal option in pursuing the case. To this end, he said he had consulted the legal firm of Justice Chambers to help him get the medical report/record of his baby. The letter is addressed to the CMD and dated 12th April, 2017.
The letter made available the THE INK reporter indicates that “you will recall that Margaret Archibong Ekpo (with your hospital card No. 4132) delivered Miss Kemfonabasi Iniobong Nkaimaha (Baby Margaret) in your hospital on the 16th day of May, 2014. Since after her delivery, little Miss Nkaimaha has suffered certain medical conditions which require advanced medical attention. In view of this, our client has requested financial support from well-meaning Nigerians. These requests are often time refused because of non-availability of medical report to back up our client’s claim.”
“Consequently, we are instructed by our client to request that you furnish us with the medical record/report of little Miss Nkaimaha. The record/report should cover both antenatal and prenatal care of Miss Nkaimaha’s mother (Margaret Archibong Ekpa), including the period her mother was admitted to your hospital, the period of her delivery, and the circumstances (immediate or remote) that attended her delivery.
“This request is made in accordance with Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 which establishes the right of our client to request information from your institution.”
The letter was also copied to the Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Rev. John Ebebe Ayah.
When our reporter contacted the Medical Director in charge of St. Lukes Hospital Anua, Dr. Godwil Inwang, he responded via text messages that he was still in church.
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