The Chief Medical Director, CMD, of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, Prof Kayode Olabanji said that an alleged case of ‘missing placenta’ brought against the institution has been resolved amicably.
A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs of EKSUTH, Rolake Adewumi noted that the alleged case of ‘missing placenta’ was filed by a father of twins, Mr Ojo Olaoluwa, at the Public Defender Office.
The CMD commended the office of the Public Defender, Ekiti Mediation, led by Bolanle Wale-Awe for resolving the issue amicably.
He explained that the placenta in question was not missing but was disposed according to the extant medical practice in all hospitals in case the father or a direct relative of the baby is not around to take the placenta immediately.
The Consultant, Dr Idowu Adeojo, pointed out that the unbooked patient was brought to the hospital after the delivery of one baby at home, but was unable to bring out the placenta.
He said she was thereafter taken to a Basic Health Center, from where she was referred to EKSUTH, adding that it was in the Teaching Hospital that it was discovered the problem was not just that of placenta, but a retained second twin.
According to him, efforts were made by all the medical personnel in the Maternity Department to ensure that the second baby was delivered successfully and as well save the life of the mother, hence both the mother and the twin children are alive.
The Consultant said further that throughout the period, the father of the twins was unavailable until after 24 hours of the delivery of the baby, stressing that the hospital could not keep the placenta any longer because of the dangers inherent in biological wastes.
The father of the babies, Mr Ojo, also said it is true that he was not around, as was the neighbour that brought his wife to the hospital.
He added that when he asked of the placenta the second day, he was told it has been disposed off when he was not around, but he insisted that he wanted the placenta for fear of the safety of the babies.
The statement added that “efforts were made by the officers of the Public Defender to authenticate the claim of the Hospital Management on the disposition of placenta from an independent Medical Doctor outside Ekiti State and the Physician affirmed it”.
“At the end, the Head of the Public Defender, Barrister Wale-Awe was able to resolve the issues peacefully and both parties were satisfied and very happy at the end of the resolution.”