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๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria /Health & Science

Two held as Ondo mothers, babies die in deliveries

From The Punch · (8h ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Police in Ondo State have arrested two women, Elizabeth Aremu and Blessing Effiong, for allegedly posing as midwives, leading to the deaths of two mothers and their newborn babies.
  • The incidents occurred separately in Akure and Emure-Ile within April, involving alleged complications after delivery or during childbirth at unregulated facilities.
  • The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths and urge the public to seek care from qualified healthcare providers.

The Ondo State Police Command has taken swift action, arresting two women, Elizabeth Aremu and Blessing Effiong, who are accused of posing as midwives and causing the tragic deaths of two mothers and their newborn infants. These disturbing incidents, which occurred separately in Akure and Emure-Ile within the month of April, highlight the dangers of seeking medical care from unqualified individuals and unregulated facilities.

In the first case, Mrs. Bawa Blessing allegedly died from complications shortly after delivery at a private residence in Akure, where Elizabeth Aremu presented herself as a midwife. The discovery of a newborn infant's lifeless body wrapped in a sack at the scene underscores the gravity of the situation. Similarly, in Emure-Ile, a 20-year-old woman, Genifer Sunday, reportedly died on the way to the hospital after a delivery undertaken by a church prophetess, Blessing Effiong, which resulted in the infant's death at the scene.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with separate cases of alleged maternal and infant deaths recorded under suspicious circumstances in Akure and Emure-Ile.

โ€” Abayomi JimohThe Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer announces the arrest of the suspects.

The police are conducting diligent investigations into both cases, with the remains of the deceased mothers and infants sent for autopsy. The command has issued a stern warning to the public, emphasizing the critical importance of seeking medical attention from licensed healthcare providers, especially during childbirth. This serves as a somber reminder of the need for vigilance and adherence to proper medical practices to prevent such preventable tragedies.

The command strongly advises members of the public to always seek medical care from qualified and licensed healthcare providers, particularly in critical situations such as childbirth, and to avoid unregulated facilities or individuals posing as medical practitioners.

โ€” Abayomi JimohThe PPRO issues a public health advisory following the tragic incidents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.