Amarachi Oghaeri, a visually impaired civil servant in Anambra State, is recounting her traumatic birth experience where her newborn passed away allegedly due to the negligence of health workers at a primary health center. She also shares her journey of undergoing remedial surgery after a caesarean section and her pursuit of justice.
Can you describe your experience working with the Anambra State Government as a visually impaired civil servant?
My experience has been positive. I am employed at the Anambra State Ministry of Education. I am 35, and I come from the Ihiala Local Government Area in the state. My husband, who is also visually impaired, is from Umuahia in Abia State.
Did you lose your vision at birth or later in life?
I did not have vision impairment from birth. I lost my sight at the age of four due to mishandled eye treatment. A medical practitioner advised my parents that I needed eye surgery. Initially, one eye was operated on, followed quickly by the second eye without allowing proper healing. Unfortunately, during the surgery, an artery was mistakenly cut, leading to internal hemorrhage and subsequent complications, resulting in my blindness.
What obstacles have you faced since losing your vision?
Growing up, accepting that I was different from other children was challenging. I often found myself trying to mimic sighted children’s actions. It took time for me to realize my visual impairment was a limitation.
Adapting both physically and mentally was demanding until my parents enrolled me in a specialized school for the blind. After completing this program, I transitioned to a mainstream secondary school where I encountered various challenges among sighted peers.
At times, finding assistance with daily tasks or activities was difficult.
How did you meet your husband, and what challenges do you face as a visually impaired couple?
We met during our National Youth Service Corps service. Initially, I was skeptical about his intentions when he proposed. Despite my doubts, we eventually got married after his persistent efforts. Managing finances has been a challenge, but we have been able to adapt and find happiness together.
You tragically lost your newborn shortly after delivery. Could you explain what happened?
A few months ago, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my baby soon after childbirth due to alleged negligence by the medical staff at the hospital. This was my second child.
In late 2023, I became pregnant and sought antenatal care at a primary healthcare center in Okpuno, a community in Awka South Local Government Area.
Due to financial constraints, I delayed registration for antenatal care due to difficulties affording basic necessities. My mother provided the funds for my registration.
What occurred after your registration at the healthcare center?
I registered for antenatal care in December 2023 and attended regular checkups until my due date. At seven months, I underwent a scan that indicated the baby’s good health.
However, as the due date approached, I felt uneasy and requested another scan, but the matron denied my request.
On the early hours of Saturday, April 9, 2024, I went into labor and was taken to the primary healthcare center by my husband.
What explanation did the nurse provide for the situation?
Upon arrival, we were left unattended until 5 am when a nurse informed us that the hospital was not equipped to handle the delivery, and I needed to be transferred to another facility. This sudden revelation contradicted the information provided during my antenatal visits.
Confused, my husband contacted the matron, who arrived late in the evening and referred us to a private hospital in Isuaniocha, Awka North LGA, a considerable distance from the primary healthcare center.
How did you manage to reach the referred hospital?
Prior to the matron’s arrival, my mother, sister, and husband arranged transportation to Isuaniocha using a tricycle that night.
We reached the hospital around midnight and were requested to make a N120,000 deposit.
Lacking the full amount, my husband sought assistance from others. Despite collecting some funds, it was insufficient.
What transpired next?
Due to the inadequate funds, the medical team declined to provide treatment, leaving me in excruciating pain and distress.
The doctor only came to scold me for expressing discomfort.
Subsequently, I was given anesthesia and lost consciousness. I woke up unaware of the cesarean section procedure, but my mother recounted witnessing a distressing scene in the operating room.
According to her, the doctor urged her to provide N40,000 immediately for blood transfusion to save my life, showing a concerning lack of preparedness on their part.
My family managed to raise the required funds for the blood transfusion, and the procedure took place that night.
Where was your husband during these events?
Due to restrictions, my husband was prevented from entering the theater and faced discrimination from the healthcare staff possibly due to his visual impairment.
Following the operation, the doctor and staff demanded an additional N100,000 for further treatment. Despite attempts to negotiate, they were abruptly dismissed from the office.
What about your baby at this point?
Regaining consciousness, I endured intense pain without receiving any relief. I was not able to see my baby, and the situation remained unclear.Upon consulting the doctor, it was revealed that the male baby encountered complications during birth. The doctor explained that the placenta ruptured, causing damage to the uterus that needed to be repositioned. Unfortunately, while trying to address the issue, the baby passed away.
After some efforts, the doctor managed to revive the baby. Various explanations were given by the doctor, such as the baby ingesting meconium in the womb, leading to poisoning. The doctor also attributed the baby’s challenges to prolonged labor, suggesting that the baby was better off deceased.
Further details provided by the doctor indicated that the baby survived for approximately two days before succumbing to the complications. The hospital’s handling of the situation left much to be desired as they failed to provide proper care, neglecting to place the baby in intensive care despite the difficulties faced during delivery.
It was distressing that the hospital denied the family the opportunity to see or hold the baby after his passing, depriving them of closure. The doctor’s actions, like requesting additional funds for treatment without fulfilling promises, added to the family’s anguish.
During the ordeal, the nurses were instructed by the doctor to cease attending to the mother and baby. The family was kept in the dark about the baby’s passing for two days, underscoring the lack of transparency and empathy in the hospital’s communication.
The emotional toll on the mother was immense, especially when she learned of her baby’s death indirectly while in a vulnerable state. The subsequent recovery process was riddled with complications, leading to further health struggles, necessitating corrective surgery at a different hospital to address the errors made by the initial doctor.
Despite the challenges faced, seeking justice seemed challenging as financial burdens loomed large, hindering the family from seeking legal recourse against the negligent doctor. The urgent need for assistance to cover medical bills and daily expenses became paramount, appealing to well-meaning individuals for support.
An alarming discovery was made of individuals exploiting the family’s situation on social media for personal gain, adding to their distress. The family expressed disbelief and disappointment at such exploitation, highlighting their dire circumstances and urgent need for financial aid to navigate their challenging situation.
In the face of adversity, the family remains resilient but acutely aware of their vulnerability and pressing need for help in the aftermath of the tragic events surrounding the birth of their child.