Anambra suspends health worker for refusing to separate placenta due to fear

The Anambra Government has suspended a health worker, Mrs Njideka Ezeihejiofor, for refusing to separate the placenta of a pregnant woman who delivered a stillborn baby close yo the health facility.

The disciplinary panel chaired by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, on Friday approved her suspension after investigating the matter.

Ezeihejiofor, who is the Officer-in-Charge at Ukpo Primary Healthcare Centre, had told the  investigating panel that she had  turned back the pregnant patient when she came into the facility at 11 am, due to fatigue.

According to her, she was about six months pregnant and she could no longer feel her baby kicking. So, she told the patient to go to a higher health facility to get a better attention.

“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 explained.

The commissioner said the panel found that Ezeihejiofor, refused to examine the pregnant woman and did not 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 added.

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 ordered Ezeihejiofor’s immediate demotion and suspension without pay while the other staff in the centre be queried.

In another development, the Officer-in-Charge of Uke Primary Healthcare Centre in Idemili North, Mrs Blessing Offor, was found to have been consistently absent from duty.

The panel, comprising Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Chris Azor, Coordinator, Anambra Civil Society Network and others, suspended her salary indefinitely and directed her to refund eight months of salaries previously paid during her absence.

Obidike reiterated the state government’s commitment to high-quality healthcare delivery, and wsrmed unprofessional behaviour undermined Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s investment and health policies.

He urged health workers to sit up or resign if unwilling to fulfil their duties or face disciplinary measures.

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