Health
Nurse accuses hospital over wife’s death, he is Jehovah’s witness, refused blood transmission -management
A registered nurse anaesthetist, Prince Ovwiomodiowho, has accused a private hospital in Lagos State, R Jolad Hospital, Agege, of alleged negligence and failure to provide adequate care, which reportedly led to the death of his wife, Loveth and unborn son, already named Jason.
The distraught man said that his late wife started ante-natal at the hospital in 2023 but reportedly bled to death on March 8, 2024, shortly after undergoing a caesarean section.
Ovwiomodiowho insisted that the lack of a competent surgical team and equipment were factors that contributed to the untimely death of his wife and baby.
He lamented that long hours of induction led to the rupture of his late wife’s uterus, causing heavy bleeding.
Recounting the traumatic events that unfolded during his wife’s stay at the private hospital, Ovwiomodiowho said, “I have been in despair, unimaginable trauma, prolonged pain and unending sorrow since March 8, 2024, following the gruesome murder of my precious wife Loveth and innocent son, Jason.
“My wife had no surgical and medical history; she was their patient from the start of the pregnancy. All her labs, vitals and scans were normal, and her packed cell volume before delivery was 39 per cent.
“The doctor in charge, Marcus, prescribed the induction from midnight and said there was no clear indication for a C/Section. I objected to the midnight induction but he insisted it was the hospital protocol.
“Marcus commenced induction with Misoprostol twice under the watch of his junior doctors and midwife. They claimed Misoprostol induction failed and my wife was not contracting and also claimed her cervix was ripped for another type of induction with oxytocin, which they commenced.
“After 10 hours of aggressive prolonged induction with cervical dilatation only reaching 6cm, her uterus was hyperstimulated until it busted (She had ruptured uterus) and started active silent bleeding.”
Ovwiomodiowho said the hospital claimed not to be aware that his wife was bleeding until she collapsed, started gasping for air, started foaming from the mouth and later, became unconscious.
He further said, “My wife was bleeding and the hospital claimed they were not aware until she collapsed and started gasping for air with extremely low blood pressure and severely compromised vital signs.
“She needed active resuscitation, immediate caesarian section and exploratory laparotomy but once again, the hospital had no surgeon, no anaesthetist, and no paediatrician (No surgical team) in place for the surgery.
“Major surgical and resuscitation equipment was not available. There was no reliable oxygen system, no laryngoscope and no fictional ventilator. She was left to breathe by herself via an endotracheal tube during surgery.”
“There was no electricity throughout the surgery. At some points, they were using phone torchlight for surgery. Due to the unimaginable and gross incompetence of the surgical team, haemostasis could not be secured; she was bleeding from multiple bleeders. My wife and son eventually bled to death, and the theatre floor was a river of blood despite various colloids that were infused. Imagine leaving with the horror of the scene.
“The death certificate of my wife says she suffered a ruptured uterus with massive uterine haemorrhage.”
He also claimed that efforts to get his late wife’s uterus, which was removed during the surgery were not successful.
“My wife’s uterus (womb) was removed during surgery and the hospital has refused to give me the specimen despite multiple requests. I don’t know if they are planning to sell it or if they are deliberately trying to make the autopsy inconclusive.
“The hospital has also refused to give me the placenta. It is only the corpse of my wife and son that was handed over.
“I have reported the incident to the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, Commissioner of Health and Permanent Secretary in Lagos, and I am waiting for their responses,” he said.
While arguing that the death of his wife and son was avoidable and unnecessary, the aggrieved nurse said it was “a deliberate act of reckless manslaughter.”
He lamented, “How can an obstetrician and gynaecologist be in another facility and still hell-bent on inducing my wife under the watch of his staff from 12 am till 10 am until her uterus gave way? It ruptured without any O&G consultant available to review it.
“The consultant provoked massive torrential bleeding and both he and his team claimed they had no clue as to why my wife, who was their patient was bleeding and was racing into hypovolaemic shock.
“Even when she eventually suffered a total cardiovascular collapse in labour, became unconscious and needed intensive care, immediate Ex lap with an emergency caesarian section, she was denied early surgical intervention until she suffered hypoxic brain injury.
“It took over three hours for the intensivist to start attending to her and over two hours for the O&G consultant to commence surgery, the paediatrician never came.”He added, “During this unbearable waiting time for the surgeon to show up, I was forced to commence active resuscitation on my wife because the team on the ground was in deep confusion and panic.
“Finally, they arranged a grossly incompetent surgical team that could not secure bleeding despite infusions of colloids and crystalloids, causing traumatic death of both mother and baby.”
The nurse also accused the hospital management of deepening his pain and loss by subjecting him to all manner of inhumane treatment and intimidation.
He lamented, “In my unwavering quest to seek justice just because the hospital has seen I don’t have money, I have been subjected to intimidation and frustrations.”
The grieving father said he is at a loss as to how to reply his four-year-old daughter, who has been asking for her mother.
“She has been asking for her mom and I still don’t know what to tell her,” he said with tears cascading down his face.
Hospital denies negligence, blames husband for wife’s death
When contacted the management of R Jolad Hospital, they denied alleged negligence and complicity in the death of the woman.
The hospital insisted that everything medically necessary was done to save Ovwiomodiowho’s wife and son.
Speaking in a virtual meeting attended by the hospital’s Medical Director Abiola Fashina; Chief Operating Officer, Mr Soji Osunsedo, and the Marketing and Brand communications manager, Ifeoluwapo Ilesanmi on April 26, 2024, our correspondent was told by the Managing Director, Dr Funsho Oladipo, that standard protocols and procedures required for care during labour were provided.
While admitting that the wife lost a lot of blood during delivery, he blamed Ovwiomodiowho’s religious belief against blood transmission for the unfortunate death, noting that blood was not given to the woman after the surgery.
He explained, “Between you and I, we know that in childbirth, one important thing that can happen and throw everybody into a panic state, but which can still be remedied, is blood loss. And when there’s blood loss, you have to replace it, especially if the loss is much. There’s nothing that replaces blood.
“But we had been given a strict instruction against blood transfusion because Prince and his family belong to the Jehovah’s Witness religious group and they don’t allow blood transmission.
“And this, you know and I know, everybody knows that if so much blood is lost and no replacement, there’s nothing one can do.
“So, the question of not having adequate manpower to take care of what the wife had is not true.
“The hospital is well equipped with personnel and other things; we have consultant gynaecologists and other professionals. It’s very unfortunate that this happened because we have always provided care to the best of our knowledge and best of practice.
“And such a scenario has never happened in the hospital for the period that we’ve been running it.
“The hospital is a source of joy to many homes, taking care of the needs of the people, the poor and the rich.”
When asked if the hospital used torchlight during surgery, Oladipo noted, “I have just told you the main reason why this loss occurred. I mean, it’s just like Panadol would take care of your headache and if you refuse to take Panadol, the headache will still be there. It’s just simple and very unfortunate.”
On the allegations that the hospital did not release the placenta and ruptured uterus, the hospital Managing Director explained, “If the corpse was alleged to have been kept by us, then we agreed that the uterus and the placenta were also with us.
“You see, it was so bad, we had to put the placenta, the uterus, we had to wrap everything neatly together because they did not want to take the corpse that night. They came so many hours after the incident to take the corpse. And everything was wrapped with the placenta, the resected uterus and the corpse, and we gave it to them.”
The Federal Government has intensified emergency measures to contain the possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria, with plans to establish treatment and isolation centres in states hosting designated ports of entry.
The development follows an increase in the number of persons identified as contacts of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola patient from 44 to 53.
The national incident management system has also been activated under the coordination of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.
The confirmed case involves a woman who travelled to Nigeria after visiting Uganda, following an earlier trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
She reportedly developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention in Abuja on October 11 and tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola on October 20.
The World Health Organisation is investigating the possible source of the infection.
Health authorities have urged Nigerians to remain calm, maintain proper hygiene, avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of suspected Ebola patients and promptly report suspected infections.
The NCDC also warned against stigmatising persons undergoing monitoring, stressing that public cooperation, early detection and effective contact tracing remain critical to preventing further transmission.
The woman who tested positive for Ebola in Nigeria has been identified as the wife of a Swiss diplomat stationed in Abuja, with preliminary investigations suggesting that she contracted the deadly virus during a recent trip to Uganda.
According to Reuters, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that the 42-year-old Ugandan-born woman tested positive on October 20, marking Nigeria’s first confirmed Ebola case in over a decade.
The Swiss authorities disclosed that the patient had spent approximately one week receiving treatment at a private hospital in Abuja after developing symptoms before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
The ministry explained that the woman was believed to have contracted the virus during a visit to Uganda about two weeks earlier.
Her husband, who accompanied her on the trip, has since been placed in isolation as a precautionary measure, although he has not exhibited any symptoms of the disease.
However, uncertainty remains over the actual source of the infection, as international health agencies intensify efforts to reconstruct the patient’s travel history and identify possible exposure routes.
Ugandan authorities had suggested that the woman visited eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo before travelling through Uganda, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said the claim had not been independently verified.
Africa CDC official Wessam Mankoula disclosed during an online briefing that Nigerian and Ugandan health authorities were exchanging information to establish the patient’s movements.
He maintained that there was currently no validated evidence confirming that the woman travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Providing further clarification, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, said available records indicated that the patient travelled to Uganda on September 16 and returned to Abuja on October 3.
Ursu also confirmed that the woman remained hospitalised, adding that medical indicators showed signs of improvement.
Meanwhile, WHO Emergency Response Manager Patrick Otim said investigations were continuing to establish where the infection originated and identify health facilities the patient visited after developing symptoms.
The Nigerian case has been linked to an outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, first reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected persons, including deceased victims. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, while severe infections can result in death.
Health authorities are currently tracing the patient’s contacts and reviewing her movements to identify individuals who may have been exposed and prevent further transmission of the virus.
The Enugu State Government says it has strengthened its disease surveillance and puts health officials on alert within the 17 council areas in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said this on Wednesday in Enugu during a press conference on Actions of the State Government in Response to Confirmed Case of Ebola in Abuja.
Ugwu said that following the confirmation of the case, the government had reactivated and strengthened the Enugu State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) to coordinate preparedness, surveillance and response activities.
“Specifically, the State has intensified disease surveillance across its 17 Local Government Areas and strengthened coordination with relevant agencies and partners.
“Surveillance activities around the Akanu Ibiam International Airport are also being strengthened in collaboration with Port Health Services and other relevant stakeholders.
“The state is further maintaining its Rapid Response Teams and relevant technical personnel on standby, while preparedness measures are being reviewed to ensure that the state is able to respond promptly should a suspected case be identified.
“Public awareness and risk communication activities are also being strengthened to ensure that members of the public receive accurate and timely information,” Ugwu, who is a Member of Presidential Committee on Ebola Prevention, said.
He said that health ministry would continue to work closely with Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, its agencies and other partners to ensure effective preparedness, early detection, appropriate response and timely communication
The commissioner said that the government considers the health security of the state’s residents as a major priority and had taken appropriate precautionary measures without creating unnecessary fear or panic.
He urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, strictly observe infection prevention and control measures, use appropriate protective equipment, and promptly report any suspected case through the established channels.
According to him, the government will continue to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure health workers safety and effective response.
“To the good people of Enugu State, I urge you to remain calm and vigilant. There is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Enugu State, and the measures being taken are precautionary.
“The public is advised to maintain good hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons, seek medical attention promptly when necessary, and report suspected sick person,” he said.
He specifically urged public and private health facilities across the state to remain on heightened alert and maintain a high index of suspicion for suspected cases, particularly among persons with relevant travel or exposure history.
“All suspected cases should be promptly isolated and immediately reported to the appropriate Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) or the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, while strict infection prevention and control measures are observed.
“I urge all health facilities to cooperate fully with the Enugu State Ministry of Health and other response agencies, as early detection and prompt notification are critical to preventing transmission,” he said.
It would be recalled that state government, through the Ministry of Health, for months had been undertaking Ebola Prevention Preparedness mesdures at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, which is an international entry point.
The current Ebola Prevention measures at the airport is undertaking with collaboration of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, airport authorities and other relevant partners.
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The Enugu State Government says there is no confirmed case of diphtheria in the state, urging residents to disapprove unfounded ongoing rumours.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof George Ugwu, made the clarification in a briefing on Wednesday in Enugu on update on the rumoured suspected case of a diphtheria patient in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu.
“In response to this, the Public health and Surveillance unit of the State Ministry of Health are already at alert and to ensure appropriate prevention control measure and early detection as may be necessary.
“A few days ago, there was a report of suspected case of diphtheria at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu which was followed by our team.
“However, the diagnosis of diphtheria could not be sustained or confirmed; while the patient, wito was rumoured and suspected to have diphtheria,
had tonsillitis,” he said.
The commissioner noted that accordingly, contact traces and other appropriate measures are ongoing and “yet diphtheria are not diagnosed or confirmed in the state.”
He explained that the suspected patient had been traced to his home in Achara Layout in Enugu and he did not have any record of travel and had not being to the northern part of the country as rumoured.
“Our surveillance and tracing teams have also contacted his family members and others but no trace of diphtheria established,” he said.
Ugwu noted that although the state had remained on high alert against infectious diseases, “Enugu State is never at high risk of contacting diphtheria”.
“For the state, we have a robust routine and mop up vaccination especially on Penta 3, which provides effective immunisation against diphtheria for a whole life time.
“In 2026 Vaccination, we had 91 per cent record of coverage on Penta 3 vaccination, which is even above the national target or threshold,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading rumours or unverified information as well as seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms of any sickness.
He said, “The ministry is calling on parents and caregivers to ensure children are fully immunised with diphtheria containing vaccines (Penta 3).
“Residents are urged to follow the advice of health authorities during contact tracing and monitoring.
“Healthcare workers are urged to maintain appropriate standard precautions, promptly notify suspected cases through the surveillance system and ensure appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
“The Enugu State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNTH and relevant international partners, continues to monitor the situation and will be proactive for further information as necessary,” he added.
It would be recalled that there is an outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria and 19,799 suspected cases sent to molecular laboratory test; with 15,309 confirmed cases and 517 confirmed death across 26 states and 357 Local Government Areas.
The worst affected states accounting for over 98 per cent cases of diphtheria are Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Kastin, Sokato, Zamfara, Kaduna and Plateau according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Diphtheria is a serious but vaccine preventable bacterial disease that can spread though respiratory droplets and close contact.
Symptoms of Diphtheria include: fever, sore throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, cough, difficulty breathing, swelling of the neck and greyish/white membrane in the throat.
The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, has urged patients, visitors and members of the public to remain calm following the management of a clinically suspected case of diphtheria at the hospital.
The reassurance followed concerns over the admission and subsequent death of a paediatric patient at the hospital’s Children’s Emergency Room (CHER).
According to a statement issued by the hospital management on Wednesday, the patient received medical intervention immediately after admission but died two days later despite efforts by the attending medical team.
The hospital said a subsequent clinical post-mortem review suggested that the severe symptoms may have been caused by severe pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate, rather than diphtheria as initially suspected.
However, as a precautionary measure, UNTH said comprehensive contact tracing had commenced to identify and monitor individuals who may have had close contact with the deceased.
The hospital also confirmed that the Children’s Emergency Room had undergone standard decontamination in line with established infection prevention and control protocols.
UNTH said it had previously managed sporadic cases of diphtheria successfully and possesses the specialist personnel, isolation facilities and medical equipment required to manage infectious disease cases.
The management urged members of the public to remain vigilant for symptoms associated with diphtheria, including persistent fever, severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
It advised anyone experiencing such symptoms, as well as parents whose children develop them, to seek immediate medical attention at a recognised healthcare facility and avoid self-medication.
Healthcare workers, patients and visitors were also advised to maintain proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette while within the hospital premises.
The hospital management assured the public that it would continue to prioritise community safety and public health, while providing updates based on verified medical information.
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