In the early hours of the morning, Kelion Nwoha-Mba faced an unimaginable tragedy when his beloved wife, Fiona, lost her life during childbirth at a government-run hospital in Lagos due to alleged medical negligence. The distraught father, who is now left to care for their three young children, shared his heart-wrenching account with Muhammed Lawal. He claims that without his knowledge or consent, doctors removed his wife’s fibroid and womb while she underwent surgery.
You recently lost your wife due to alleged medical negligence. What really happened?
“I am originally from Imo State, and I married my wife, Fiona, seven wonderful years ago. Together, we celebrated the joys and challenges of raising three children: two energetic boys and a sweet girl. Fiona was just 35 years old when this tragic incident occurred.
On October 29, 2024, we arrived at the hospital for a scheduled caesarean section, a planned procedure without emergency implications. After the birth of our baby boy, the doctors shocked me by stating they had removed fibroids from Fiona’s uterus.
They even asked me to procure a container to take home the fibroids they had extracted. That’s when the chaos began.
Feeling overwhelmed, I demanded to know, ‘Who authorized the removal of the fibroid?’ This was particularly frightening for me, as I had tragically lost two cousins to complications from fibroid surgeries years ago, and just three months prior, a close friend’s wife had passed away from a similar procedure. Fiona had been diagnosed with fibroids long before our first child was born.
After the fibroid surgery, the medical staff wheeled Fiona out of the operating room for recovery.
I couldn’t comprehend how a patient could undergo such a major procedure without the requisite blood supplies on hand to manage possible complications.
Panic set in as I was instructed to procure four pints of blood, which was particularly urgent considering Fiona’s O-negative blood type.
I spent hours scurrying through the city to secure the necessary blood. We finally found donors, but when the doctors wheeled Fiona out again after the surgery, her abdomen began to swell alarmingly. They rushed her back for a second surgical intervention, once more instructing me to find more blood.
This time, due to the removal of her womb, they informed me that they could use O-positive blood. Miraculously, I managed to secure it quickly.
After the second surgery, Fiona was moved to the recovery room, where she was placed on oxygen and monitored. However, after what felt like an eternity of five to six hours, she remained unconscious, only occasionally twitching.
What was your reaction when you heard about her death?
I was there, watching everything unfold in disbelief, grappling with an indescribable sensation of horror and loss. How do you articulate such profound grief? This wasn’t a fleeting encounter; this was my life partner, with whom I had shared countless memories and dreams. Just recounting the experience gives me chills. The weight of my emotions is indescribable.
Were you informed before they removed her womb?
No, I was kept in the dark! They initiated the fibroid removal without prior notification or my approval. I was informed only after it occurred and was then asked to procure a container for the fibroid and womb. I never even got to see them. The situation spiraled into a medical emergency because of their earlier actions.
I was later told Fiona was experiencing internal bleeding, prompting them to rush her back to the operating room for a hysterectomy. Had I been consulted prior, I would have insisted on the complete removal of her womb during the initial surgery. We had already been blessed with three beautiful children—expanding our family was not something we pursued anymore. Yet, I was not included in any of these critical decisions.
Did you challenge them for not informing you about these surgeries?
All I could feel was the crushing weight of despair after losing my wife; challenging them felt insurmountable in that moment. I felt like I was in a nightmarish scenario, one that was entirely incomprehensible. It took time; as friends and family began to arrive to comfort me, I slowly pieced together what had transpired.
In those devastating moments, I found myself paralyzed—unable to decide whether to run, scream, or just be still. The existential numbness engulfed me.
I stood helplessly by while the hospital staff attempted resuscitation for what felt like an eternity, more than thirty minutes—almost an hour—until they finally delivered the heart-wrenching news: she was gone.
When did your family start using the hospital’s services?
Surprisingly, this was our first experience with this particular hospital. My other children were born elsewhere, far from Lagos.
How would you rate the hospital, considering this was your first time using their services?
Some often refer to it as one of the top maternity hospitals in the area. We had been frequenting another establishment, but my wife opted for Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, feeling confident about their care. They appeared competent, and I observed a generally positive rapport between the staff and patients, leading me to initially believe they were a reputable institution.
Are you planning to take legal action against them?
The daunting reality is that pursuing legal action against a government entity or hospital presents enormous challenges. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to seek justice, as I believe it can raise awareness and potentially protect lives. However, I face significant obstacles, including the cost of an autopsy and the lengthy legal process ahead.
If I can find a compassionate lawyer willing to handle the case pro bono, I would gladly pursue action. At present, my immediate priority is to provide for my three young children as a single parent. Balancing legal battles with my responsibilities is an overwhelming thought. Should I receive support, I am willing to advance, but alone, I’m uncertain if it’s within my reach.
The tragedy feels all too fresh; it happened a mere two weeks ago. My heart is still in shock, and even as I speak, cold chills cover my skin. It’s still a topic I prefer to avoid.
How do you feel knowing your wife will no longer be with you?
I remain engulfed in confusion and sorrow. Each day is a new challenge; I wake up, drop the children off at school, and then wait to retrieve them later, all while moving through this fog of grief. Explaining the absence of their mother to my children has proven to be an emotional struggle.
I wake and sleep, continually wishing this was a nightmare, but instead, it is my reality. I can’t confidently say I have a proper coping mechanism or a plan moving forward. I do my best, while trying to accept that regardless of my internal turmoil, life must continue.
Were you billed for the unauthorised surgeries?
Is anybody supporting you at the moment?
Fortunately, my mother arrived just two days ago to lend support, and my mother-in-law is currently caring for the newborn. I’m doing my best to care for my two older children in this trying time.
After the incident, did the hospital reach out to you?
No, they completely ignored us in the wake of our tragedy. I had to take the initiative to approach the hospital and request my wife’s medical record. Upon my arrival, the managing director feigned compassion, which I found utterly insulting. My wife passed away on October 30, 2024, yet they deemed it unnecessary to reach out to her family, despite her having been in their care for months.
This was not a scenario of an emergency where she was rushed in unexpectedly; she had always been their patient. It was only after my visit, presumably due to the looming threat of possible legal action, that they began attempting to demonstrate sympathy.
What do you want relevant authorities and Nigerians to do for you?
I believe my wife’s death could have been avoided, stemming from gross negligence on the hospital’s part. I was outside the operating room—if they discovered any problems such as the fibroid, they should have communicated this to me immediately. They should have provided options and sought my consent for any medical procedures.
The actions they took without my knowledge, claiming that their decisions were “normal,” are both unacceptable and endanger others. How many families have faced similar tragedies due to such recklessness? How many lives have been lost because of these dangerous and unauthorized decisions? My wife’s death should not have happened, and it’s imperative that we put an end to such negligence.
What will you miss most about your wife?
Her infectious joy and vibrant personality. She always brought laughter and warmth wherever she went. If you peruse the comments on my social media, you’ll see countless testimonies about her loving spirit. I used to remind her that too much kindness can be a burden and that she should take care of herself.
I will sorely miss how we aimed to instill love and patience in our children. I used to proudly declare that I only enjoyed food prepared by Fiona—now I find myself settling for takeout. The adjustment has been painfully difficult. I hope she finds peace, and I pledge to carry forward her dreams for our children.
What message do you have for Nigerians about this situation?
To hospitals: If you lack the necessary expertise to manage a particular issue, refrain from taking on the case. Expecting a mother to undergo childbirth should not lead to unexpected and unauthorized surgical procedures on her body.
To men: Stop questioning women about their worth in relationships with insensitive queries like, “What do you bring to the table?” The truth is, every time a woman gives birth, she brings her life to the table. Respect that immense sacrifice.
What steps can families take to ensure their loved ones’ rights are upheld during medical treatment?
Ngering. I urge relevant authorities to enforce stricter regulations in hospitals, particularly regarding patient consent and communication. It is vital that families are involved in decisions impacting their loved ones’ health, especially in life-threatening situations.
There needs to be a comprehensive investigation into medical practices in facilities that claim to provide care. I want to see systemic changes so that no other family endures what we have gone through. We need transparency in medical procedures, accountability from healthcare providers, and a commitment to patient safety first and foremost.
Additionally, I implore Nigerians to be aware and advocate for their rights when it comes to medical care. Understanding the importance of informed consent can help prevent untold tragedies. We all have the right to know what is happening with our bodies and that of our loved ones, and we should demand that our health systems prioritize that right.
As I navigate this overwhelming grief, my hope is to honor Fiona’s memory by pushing for changes that ensure safer healthcare practices for families like ours in the future.