At 11 a.m. on a Tuesday in 2023, Amina experienced her first contractions, marking the beginning of her labour for her first child.
Her husband, Abu, and neighbour Rufai hurriedly took her to the General Hospital in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, where they live.
Unfortunately, the two doctors and other staff members had not reported for duty at the hospital and the delivery room was locked. Some students undergoing their industrial training at the hospital received the patient. However, when Amina’s contraction pain increased and there was no sign of help, her husband moved her to a private medical facility in the town.
“The woman was in pain, but nobody was there to attend to her. The delivery room was locked, and it was after our arrival that the students we met went to call the staff member who held the key. But we had to leave to save the lives of the mother and the child,” Mr Rufai recalled to PREMIUM TIMES.
“It is sad that this is the state of the general hospital, and even thinking that the government just rehabilitated it is worrying,” he added.
