Ojukwu University Hospital Explains Circumstances Surrounding Death of Expectant Mother in Their Care

The management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Awka, has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the death of one of its patients, Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi, who had been battling kidney disease before her passing.

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Amarachi, who was 14 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, was initially treated at a private hospital before being transferred to the teaching hospital, where she received further care.

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COOUTH's administration expressed concern over the spread of false and misleading information on social media, which could harm the hospital's reputation and that of its healthcare professionals, and urged the public to verify information before sharing it.

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The hospital described the social media narrative surrounding Amarachi's death as unfortunate and misleading, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the highest standards of medical practice and ethical healthcare delivery.

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According to the hospital's Public Relations office, Amarachi was not admitted for "cold and catarrh" as claimed, but rather for generalized body swelling and difficulty breathing, which she had been treated for at a private hospital prior to her arrival at COOUTH.

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Hospital records show that investigations revealed significant anaemia, with a packed cell volume (PCV) of 20 per cent, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion, leading to a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney condition that poses significant risks to both mother and foetus.

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The hospital stated that nephrotic syndrome is a serious kidney condition that can be associated with significant maternal and foetal risks, particularly in a pregnant patient, and requires prompt and careful management.

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Following a comprehensive evaluation, the medical team advised Amarachi's husband to consider terminating the pregnancy to save her life, but both Amarachi and her husband initially declined this recommendation.

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Amarachi was subsequently transfused with three units of blood, which improved her blood level, and she received other multidisciplinary medical interventions and supportive care as part of her treatment.

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However, Amarachi's condition deteriorated, and she lapsed into unconsciousness, prompting her husband to give consent for the termination of the pregnancy, but sadly, she passed away before the procedure could be performed.

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The hospital emphasized that the circumstances surrounding Amarachi's death should be understood in the context of her underlying medical condition and the treatment she received, rather than the unverified accounts circulating on social media.

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The hospital explained that the unfortunate outcome was a result of the progression of Amarachi's severe underlying medical condition, rather than the minor ailment portrayed in some social media reports.

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COOUTH extended its heartfelt condolences to Amarachi's family and acknowledged the public interest generated by the incident, urging individuals and social media users to refrain from spreading unverified and misleading information.

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The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to ethical, evidence-based medical practice and its dedication to providing quality healthcare services in accordance with the highest professional standards, while respecting patient confidentiality and upholding the trust placed in it.