Pregnant women in their numbers on Wednesday protested against the alleged closure of antenatal care services at the central hospital Benin City.
The women claimed that they were scheduled to attend antenatal care on Wednesday (today) but upon getting to the clinic, they were directed to go home and return January next year.
Following the development, they marched to the Edo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to make their plights known to the public.
Happy Imafidon, spokesperson for the women, said they were directed to come on January 11, 2021 after spending hours unattended to.
“We got here and were told no antenatal care from today, December 22. The nurses announced that from December 22, there will be no antenatal care because it has been closed till January 11.
“We asked if anyone has issues, before January 11, they told us that we should go to private hospitals that it is an order from above,” she said.
Obehi Akoria, Edo State commissioner for health, while reacting, said that there was a communication gap between the health workers and the patients.
Akoria, who assured that the government has made proper arrangements to take care of pregnant women, mobilized vehicles to convey the aggrieved women back to receive care at the hospital.
“We joined antenatal with labor ward so that all will be in the same place. That is the plan. We will ensure the nurses communicate to you all properly. They didn’t pass the message well”, Akoria said.
Corroborating, Duncan Iyawe, medical director of central hospital, said what happened was as a result of miscommunication because the hospital is undergoing renovation.
Duncan said: “We didn’t drive you from central hospital. Upon your return to the hospital today, you will be booked and told the date and location when to come