How pregnant woman died in our facility – Ojukwu Varsity Hospital

By Vincent Ujumadu 

The management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Awka, has reacted to the controversy trailing the death of one of its patients, Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi.

According to the hospital, Amarachi battled kidney disease before her death.

The late Amarachi, who was 14 weeks pregnant before her death, was said to be initially managed at a private hospital before she was brought to the teaching hospital.

Worried by what it described as a negative and misleading narrative circulating on social media, which, it said, was capable of tarnishing the reputation of the hospital and the healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care, the management urged members of the public to verify information before sharing or using unverified claims to attack the institution or its personnel.

The hospital described the social media narrative surrounding the patient’s demise as unfortunate and misleading, stressing that the hospital remains committed to best medical practices, ethical standards and evidence-based healthcare delivery.

‘Not cold and catarrh’

Public Relations office of the hospital said in a statement that contrary to claims that she was admitted primarily for “cold and catarrh,” the hospital records showed that she was brought to the facility after she had been managed at a private hospital for generalized body swelling and difficulty in breathing.

According to the statement, investigations conducted at COOUTH revealed significant anaemia, with a packed cell volume (PCV) of 20 per cent, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion, adding that based on the clinical findings and laboratory investigations, the medical team diagnosed the patient with nephrotic syndrome.

“Nephrotic syndrome is a serious kidney condition that can be associated with significant maternal and foetal risks, particularly in a pregnant patient,” the hospital said.

The statement further explained that following a comprehensive clinical evaluation and a review by a multidisciplinary medical team, the patient’s husband was counselled on the need to terminate the pregnancy in the interest of preserving his wife’s life, adding however, that both the patient and her husband initially declined the recommendation of the medical team.

“The patient was subsequently transfused with three units of blood, following which her blood level improved. She also received other multidisciplinary medical interventions and supportive care as part of the management of her condition.

“However, the patient’s clinical condition subsequently deteriorated and she eventually lapsed into unconsciousness. The husband then gave consent on the same day for the termination of the pregnancy.

“The multidisciplinary medical team immediately commenced preparations to carry out the procedure. Sadly, despite these efforts, the patient passed away later that same day, before the termination of pregnancy could be performed.

“The circumstances surrounding the patient’s demise should be understood within the context of her documented medical condition and the treatment provided at the facility, rather than through unverified accounts circulating on social media”, the statement said.

The hospital explained that the unfortunate outcome was associated with the progression of the patient’s severe underlying medical condition, rather than the minor ailment portrayed in some social media reports.

It also extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi and said it shared in their grief during the difficult period.

While acknowledging the public interest generated by the incident, the hospital urged individuals and social media users to refrain from circulating unverified and misleading information that could cause unnecessary public anxiety or damage the reputation of healthcare professionals and institutions committed to saving lives.

It stressed that COOUTH remains committed to ethical, evidence-based medical practice and will continue to provide quality healthcare services in accordance with the highest professional standards and reaffirmed its commitment to respecting patient confidentiality while providing appropriate medical care to patients entrusted to the institution.

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