The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has publicly acknowledge and address the recent death of a pregnant woman and her child at the General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene. On September 4, 2025, he inaugurated a 14 member investigative panel to probe the incident, which reportedly involved delays in medical response leading to the fatalities from excessive bleeding. The panel, chaired by Prof. Akpan, was tasked with examining clinical, administrative, and systemic factors to prevent future occurrences, as directed by the governor and announced by the state’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John. This action reflects the governor’s direct involvement in responding to the tragedy.

The tragic incident occurred at the General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, involving the death of a young pregnant woman and her newborn during or shortly after an emergency caesarean section (C-section). The event took place around late August 2025, with public attention surging after a video circulated on social media showing the woman in distress during labor, allegedly struggling alone without immediate medical assistance. Reports suggest the deaths were due to severe postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), compounded by delays in response from on-duty medical staff.

The video, shared by the deceased woman’s sister, depicted the mother in labor, bleeding profusely, and attempting to deliver the baby herself, which sparked widespread outrage over alleged medical negligence, including abandonment by call-duty doctors. The hospital reportedly faced systemic issues at the time, such as power outages, lack of water supply, and insufficient staffing, which may have exacerbated the situation.