About three days after the tragic death of a middle-aged woman during a caesarean section at a medical facility in Port Harcourt, a prominent consultant gynecologist has emphasized the importance of medical ethics and professionalism.
The victim, Victoria Paris, died at a healthcare facility in the Borokiri area of Port Harcourt after losing a significant amount of blood. Reports indicate that the medical team refused to administer a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs, a decision that has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
Professor Rosemary Ogu, a consultant gynecologist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), addressed the incident, stressing that the primary duty of medical practitioners is to save lives. She urged healthcare professionals to uphold the ethical standards and codes of practice that prioritize patient well-being above personal or religious considerations.
Additionally, Dr. Israel Imaerele, a Health System Manager and Public Health Scientist at UPTH, condemned the refusal to provide treatment based on religious grounds. He described such actions as a form of sacrilege within the medical profession, emphasizing that a doctor’s foremost obligation is to preserve life regardless of personal beliefs.
