Anambra state government, Friday, suspended two health workers – Mrs Njideka Ezeihejiofor and Mrs Blessing Offor over refusal to attend to pregnant woman and absenteeism to work......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, who announced this, said the suspensions were approved by the ministry following the outcome of investigation by a disciplinary panel setup to that effect.
The panel is headed by Obidike with members including the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Obiageli Uchebo, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs Chisom Uchem and Coordinator, Anambra Civil Society Network, Mr Chris Azor.
According to the commissioner, Ezeihejiofor, the officer-in-charge at Ukpo primary healthcare centre, had turned back the six month old pregnant patient that came to the facility at 11a.m to complain that she no longer feel her baby kicking.
He said she had told the woman to go to a higher health facility to get the best care but few minutes later, some persons ran to the health centre and said the pregnant woman just had a baby two poles away and that she should come attend to her but she declined.
The commissioner condemned her actions, noting that a retained placenta could have caused the woman to bleed to death if not for the prompt intervention of another health worker within the area.
“The panel however, resolved that Ezeihejiofor be immediately demoted and suspended without pay while the other staff in the centre be queried,” he said.
For Mrs Blessing Offor, the officer-in-charge of Uke Primary Healthcare Centre in Idemili North local government area, her offence was consistently absenteeism from duty, yet she collects her salaries and other entitlements.
He said the panel suspended her salary indefinitely while directing her to refund eight months of wages previously paid during her absence.
Obidike emphasised the state’s commitment to high-quality healthcare delivery, warning that such unprofessional behavior undermines Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s investment and health policies.