By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has directed a total clampdown on unregistered hospitals and quack medical personnels operating in the FCT, after of a 35 year old woman who reportedly died through a caesarean operation in Aflomi hospita in Durumi,
Wike said,”henceforth, anyone found to be operating or working in an unregistered health facilities should be arrested and prosecuted.”
The FCT minister gave this directive following the death of a pregnant woman named Chekwube Chinagorom, a 35-year-old woman, who was brought in dead to Asokoro District Hospital from Afolmi Hospital, a private health facility located in Durumi, Abuja, after a caesarean section.
Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, in a statement issued on Saturday said that it was unfortunate that despite the free registration of pregnant women into the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), most pregnant women were still not taking advantage of the scheme.
He stated that in the FCT, vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, enjoy free FHIS enrollment, which allows them free access, through the Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres, to all services covered in the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS).
“Also, in alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstration the Wike-led FCTA zero tolerance for maternal mortality, several hospitals in the FCT, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEONC) centers. These facilities also offer cesarean sections free of charge.
“Our pregnant women are once again urged to take advantage of this free health insurance scheme and stop visiting quack medical personnel and unregistered health facilities.”
Investigations revealed that Chekwube Chinagorom, reportedly died at Afolmi Hospital, Durumi, Abuja, an unregistered private facility operating in a substandard and unsafe medical environment.
She had been delivered of a live baby, who was subsequently referred to Asokoro District Hospital.
Investigation conducted by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee (PHERMC) revealed that Afolmi Hospital was not duly registered. At the time of inspection, only one staff member, Mr. Simon Elisha Godiya, who identified himself as a Junior Community Health Extension Worker (JCHEW) was present on duty.
Mr. Godiya reported that the surgical operation was performed by one Murtala Jumma and another unidentified individual. However, attempts to reach Murtala Jumma via phone calls were unsuccessful.
Shortly after the incident, the PHERMC team and police officers from the Nigerian Police , Durumi Divisional Headquarters visited the the facility to carry out for further investigation.
The Nigeria Police is currently assisting in identifying the individuals responsible for the surgery, verifying their qualifications, and investigating the circumstances that led to the death of the late Chekwube Chinagorom at Afolmi Hospital
