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The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, is once again in the news for very painful reasons, as a grieving family has narrated how negligence and poor handling allegedly led to the death of their beloved sister, Mrs. Charity Unachukwu. Read Our Last Post: Man who Welcomes new born Baby, Almost Lands in Prison Same Day After Wheelbarrow Pusher’s Sudden Death
According to the detailed account shared by her sister, Phina Unachukwu Ezeagwu, tragedy struck after Charity was involved in a vehicle accident in Enugu. She was first rushed to a nearby hospital where first aid was given. On closer examination, doctors suspected a spleen rupture and immediately referred her to the Orthopaedic Hospital. From there, the case was referred again to Parklane Hospital, Enugu, which later directed the family to the extension unit at New Market Road due to renovations at the main emergency centre.
By this time, it was already night, and doctors that were reportedly called since 6:00 pm were yet to arrive, even as two accident victims lay waiting.
The family then moved the patient to Memphis Hospital, Trans Ekulu, where a CT scan confirmed no neurological damage. Her haemoglobin count, however, was critically low at 9.0. The doctors at Memphis administered some first aid but insisted she be moved to UNTH for complete treatment, despite the risk of time.
The ambulance braved the dangerous road leading to UNTH at midnight. But what awaited them was described as shocking. The family said that on arrival at 1:00 am, a doctor identified as Dr. Eze Ik allegedly refused to admit the patient, saying there was no bed available. Even after the husband and ambulance driver secured a mattress and later brought in a bed, she was only admitted around 3:00 am, after hours of delay.
Laboratory tests were ordered, but according to the family, no urgency was applied. Despite the word “emergency” written on the forms, the husband was told to return by 6:00 am, then later by 7:00 am, and finally was dismissed again with the excuse that work only starts at 9:00 am.
As hours dragged on, the patient grew weaker. Attempts to move her for ultrasound and chest X-ray were also delayed, as porters reportedly abandoned their duty and even removed her oxygen without caution. When the ultrasound was eventually done, results showed fluid accumulation in her ribs, worsening her condition.
Despite losing so much blood, blood transfusion was never carried out. The first set of samples taken reportedly coagulated, and fresh blood had to be drawn again from the weak patient. Even then, hours passed without action.
At 1:30 pm, nearly 12 hours after she was first brought to UNTH, Mrs. Charity developed respiratory distress. She sweated profusely and gasped for breath. Her sister begged the doctors to transfer her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but the attending doctor allegedly said a report needed to be written first.
By 1:45 pm on 20th September 2025, Mrs. Charity Unachukwu gave up the ghost.
The family insists she died not because her injuries could not be managed, but because of systemic failure, negligence, lack of control of junior staff, and outright insensitivity. They described UNTH as a “killer den” where patients are left to the mercy of careless delays, bureaucracy, and lack of compassion.
The grieving sister, Phina, described her late sibling as a humble and gentle woman. In her words:
“She entered UNTH at 1:00 am, was admitted at 3:00 am, and for over 12 hours no blood transfusion was done. My sister died because of negligence. UNTH killed her. Nothing is working there, not even basic facilities.”
She added that toilets and conveniences in the hospital are in terrible condition, a shame for an institution that serves as a referral centre for the South East and beyond.
The family’s pain has stirred public outrage, with many Nigerians lamenting that while government officials fly abroad for medical tourism, ordinary citizens are left to suffer and die from conditions that could be treated if proper care was given.
Mrs. Charity’s death has now become another sad reminder of the deep rot in the Nigerian health system.
The family has vowed to stand by her children and continue to speak up so that her painful experience does not repeat itself for others.
