Amanze Chinonye
The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, has opened an independent investigation into the death of Mrs. Charity Unachukwu, an accident victim whose family alleges she died after more than 12 hours of neglect at the hospital’s emergency unit.
Mrs. Unachukwu was brought to UNTH in the early hours of September 21 following a road accident but was reportedly denied prompt admission and treatment due to a lack of available beds.
A viral social media post by her sister, Phina Unachukwu Ezeagwu, detailed a harrowing ordeal involving repeated delays, staff indifference, and procedural bottlenecks that allegedly culminated in the patient’s death before any blood transfusion could be administered.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the account, the family shuttled the victim between multiple hospitals in Enugu before arriving at UNTH around 1 a.m., where staff allegedly refused admission until 3 a.m. and delayed laboratory tests and emergency procedures despite her critical condition. “Nothing is working at UNTH,” the grieving sister wrote, accusing staff of negligence and a lack of accountability.
Reacting to the public outcry, UNTH Public Relations Officer Boniface Uchelue said on Sunday that the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) had cancelled a scheduled foreign trip to personally oversee a forensic investigation into the incident.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness and are committed to reviewing the report with the aim of uncovering the facts, ensuring accountability, and driving systemic improvements,” Uchelue said.
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The hospital pledged that the investigation will examine emergency admission procedures, laboratory and diagnostic services, inter-departmental coordination, and the care provided to the patient, with the goal of identifying both systemic and individual failures. Uchelue assured that where lapses are confirmed, “corrective and disciplinary measures will follow.”
While expressing condolences to the Unachukwu family, the hospital reiterated its commitment to its motto, Service to Humanity, and to delivering “compassionate, safe, and effective healthcare for all.”
UNTH noted that it was recently certified as a Level 3 teaching hospital by PharmAccess for quality improvement and said it remains focused on attaining Level 4 certification next year, despite the current controversy.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s public health sector, where patients and families often face bureaucratic delays, inadequate staffing, and poor infrastructure in emergency care.
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