LUTH suspends officials over pregnant woman’s death

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital has suspended many of its nurses found wanting in the events leading to the death of 42-year-old Margaret Akingbehin, a pregnant woman who died due to the hospital staff’s negligence on March 1, 2013. In a petition sent by the deceased’s husband to the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Akingbehin demanded a written explanation for the death of his wife. He also demanded in the letter, which he copied the Senate, minister of health and Governor Babatunde Fashola, “A written explanation on why a surgery known and paid for in advance as a result of the emergency was not given priority; a proof of exemplary disciplinary action against all errant medical officers and compensation in the sum N1.2m being cost of burial arrangements and general damages of N100m and exemplary damages of N200m.” Saturday PUNCH had on March 9 published a story on the case of Akingbehin, who was scheduled for a Caesarean Section but was left unattended and died in pain. A source at the hospital said queries and suspension letters had been “flying since the publication came out.” The source, whose sister was also affected, told our correspondent that as much as 20 nurses might have been given queries while many of them had been placed on suspension. “Why is it that only nurses have to face disciplinary action for the woman’s death? What about the doctor or doctors in charge at the time? We have heard nothing about their suspension,” our source said. In a letter of condolence sent to the deceased’s husband, signed by LUTH’s Director of Administration, Ayo Olagunju, on behalf of the hospital’s chief medical director, the hospital promised an investigation. It states in part, “Margaret was an amiable person, loved by all our staff who came across her; it is a sad twist of fate that your wife met her untimely death at the age of 42 in our hospital where she registered and had been attending her ante-natal clinic regularly. “We know that words alone cannot console you at this moment of tears. Please rest assured that management has begun an investigation/disciplinary process to ensure that any of our staff found to be negligent in the unfortunate demise of your wife is sanctioned accordingly to serve as deterrent to others.” But the spokesperson of the hospital, Hope Nwokolo, refuted claims that only nurses were affected in the ongoing disciplinary process on the case. Nwokolo said, “I can categorically tell you that both doctors and nurses are being questioned by a panel that has been set up by LUTH. Not only nurses are facing the panel. “By the end of the panel’s sitting, its report will determine those who deserve to be sanctioned. But not only nurses are affected.” The Forum of Federal Health Institutions Nurses and Midwives of Nigeria, LUTH branch, has also sent a condolence letter to the Akingbehin family.