The Anambra government has suspended a health worker, Njideka Ezeihejiofor, for refusing to attend to a pregnant woman who delivered a stillborn baby outside the health facility on Tuesday.

The suspension of Ms Ezeihejiofor was approved on Friday by the disciplinary panel chaired by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, after investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Appearing before the panel, Ms Ezeihejiofor, the officer-in-charge at Ukpo Primary Healthcare Centre, said she turned back the pregnant patient when she came into the facility at 11:00 a.m. due to fatigue.

“When the patient came in, she said she was about six months pregnant and that she could no longer feel her baby kicking. I told her to go to a higher health facility to get the best care.

“A few minutes later, some persons ran to the health centre and said the pregnant woman just had a baby two poles away and I should come and attend to her. I refused because I was afraid,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Obidike said the panel found that Ms Ezeihejiofor refused to examine the pregnant woman or provide a referral letter when she visited the centre.

“When she was called to assist and separate the placenta after the woman delivered the stillborn just two poles away from the facility, Ezeihejiofor reportedly declined,” he said.

The commissioner condemned her actions, noting that a retained placenta could have caused the woman to bleed to death.

“A retained placenta can cause life-threatening bleeding and even death. That patient could have bled to death if not for the prompt intervention of another health worker within the area.

“The panel, however, resolved that Ezeihejiofor should be immediately demoted and suspended without pay while the other staff in the centre should be queried,” he said.

Similarly, Blessing Offor, the officer in charge of Uke Primary Healthcare Centre in Idemili North, was found to have been consistently absent from duty.

The panel suspended her salary indefinitely, and she was directed to refund eight months of wages previously paid during her absence.

Mr Obidike emphasised the state’s commitment to high-quality healthcare delivery, warning that such unprofessional behaviour undermined Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s investment and health policies.

The commissioner urged health workers who were unwilling to fulfil their duties to resign quietly or face disciplinary measures.

He also urged residents to report incidents of negligence via designated contact numbers displayed at healthcare facilities.

Chisom Uchem, executive secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency; Chris Azor, coordinator, Anambra Civil Society Network; and others were panel members.

(NAN)