Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The family of Mrs. Akubo Lovelyn John, who died shortly after giving birth at Gynescope Specialist Hospital in Lekki, Lagos, has gone public with allegations of medical negligence, delayed referral and poor handling of postpartum complications, prompting calls for a formal investigation by relevant authorities.
According to the deceased’s husband, the couple attended antenatal care at the hospital from the 13th week of pregnancy through to delivery after paying substantial fees for regular tests and consultations. The baby, delivered on December 3, 2025, weighed 4.2 kilograms, considered above average and indicative of fetal macrosomia, a situation the husband said should have prompted closer clinical evaluation of delivery options.
Despite discussing concerns about baby size and possible delivery risks with the consultant, the family claims that their suggestion of an elective Caesarean section was dismissed in favour of spontaneous vaginal delivery, based on the consultant’s assurances. Shortly after delivery, the husband said his wife began to experience concerning symptoms, including bleeding and a sensation of internal “flow,” which they interpreted as early warning signs of a complication.
The family alleges that after an initial repair of an episiotomy, a second suturing was performed later following observed swelling, but bleeding continued unabated. They contend that, despite acknowledgement by the attending physician that she was bleeding internally, no swift referral to a higher-level facility or specialist surgeon was made when her condition deteriorated over many hours. Instead, blood transfusions were administered without identifying or repairing the underlying source of the hemorrhage, which they believe worsened her condition.
The situation grew critical in the early hours of December 4, 2025, when she reportedly began convulsing and there were no medical personnel immediately present in the ward; the husband claims that staff only responded after he raised urgent cries for help. He also alleges that the hospital lacked basic emergency resources such as oxygen in the ward. The decision to transfer her to another facility was made only after her condition had deteriorated significantly, according to his account.
During the attempted referral, the family has publicly criticised the hospital’s handling of the evacuation itself, including claims that his wife fell from the stretcher indoors and that the ambulance was not prepared for timely transport, further delaying access to definitive care. The family has called on Gynescope to release unedited CCTV footage from the incident to clarify what happened during the transfer.
In response to the allegations, the hospital — through Professor Jude Okohue — denied claims of negligence or delayed referral, stating that efforts were made to stabilise the patient before any decision on transfer, and that significant steps were taken to manage her condition, including donation of blood by staff members in an attempt to save her life. The hospital maintains that intervention and any subsequent actions taken were within medical standards and protocol.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, has publicly supported the family’s call for an investigation by regulatory bodies, emphasising that patients have a right to life and quality medical care — and urging the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the Lagos State Government, and health oversight agencies to thoroughly examine the circumstances of the death.
This case has resonated with broader public concerns in Nigeria about maternal health and patient safety. Postpartum hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, and the effectiveness of emergency obstetric care has been the focus of advocacy and policy reform in recent years. Health experts often stress the critical importance of timely diagnosis, surgical intervention where needed, and rapid referral systems to save lives when severe bleeding occurs after childbirth — outcomes that families and advocates say should be addressed in this case.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments