The Anambra-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, says the death of a pregnant woman, Mrs Amarachi Uche-Chukwudokwe, in its facility was caused by nephrotic syndrome.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the hospital, Ms Henrietta Agbai, disclosed this in a statement issued in Awka and made available to reporters on Sunday.
Agbai was reacting to a recent social media report alleging that the woman, who died on March 26, passed away from cold and catarrh rather than a severe medical condition.
The statement read in part: “COOUTH, Amaku, Awka, has noted with concern the misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the unfortunate demise of Mrs Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi.
“Contrary to claims that the patient presented to our hospital at 14 weeks of pregnancy with ‘cold and catarrh’, hospital records show that she was brought to our facility after having been managed at a private hospital for generalised body swelling and difficulty in breathing.
“Further investigations conducted at our hospital revealed significant anaemia, with a Packed Cell Volume of 20 per cent, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion.
“Based on these clinical findings and investigations, a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome was made.”
It was explained that nephrotic syndrome “is a kidney disorder defined by high protein in the urine, low blood protein, and body swelling.
“It is caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste.”
The PRO, who acknowledged the public interest generated by the incident, urged individuals and social media users to “refrain from circulating unverified and misleading information”.
According to her, such information could cause unnecessary public anxiety or damage the reputation of healthcare professionals and institutions committed to saving lives.
“COOUTH remains committed to ethical, evidence-based medical practice and will continue to provide quality healthcare services in accordance with the highest professional standards,” she added.
The hospital also reaffirmed its commitment to respecting patient confidentiality while providing appropriate medical care to patients entrusted to the institution.
It maintained that the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death 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 Chief Medical Director of the facility, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, told reporters in an interview that part of what led to the unfortunate incident was “when the woman and her husband refused expert advice to terminate the pregnancy to save her life”.
Umeakuewulu said that by the time the couple agreed to the advice, it was already late, as the medical team tried their best without success.
