COOUTH Sets Record Straight on Pregnant Patient’s Death, Says She Battled Kidney Failure

The Management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has set the record straight regarding the circumstances surrounding the demiss of a patient, Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi, whose case, according to the hospital, had initially been managed at a private hospital before she was brought to the teaching hospital.

The management frowned at what it described as a negative and misleading narrative circulating on social media, which it said was capable of tarnishing the reputation of the hospital and the healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care.
The hospital therefore urged members of the public to verify information before sharing or using unverified claims to attack the institution or its personnel.
COOUTH described the social media narrative surrounding the patient’s demiss as unfortunate and misleading, stressing that the hospital remains committed to best medical practices, ethical standards and evidence-based healthcare delivery.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Office of COOUTH, Amaku, Awka, the patient presented at the hospital at 14 weeks of pregnancy. Contrary to claims that she was admitted primarily for “cold and catarrh,” the hospital said its records showed that she was brought to the facility after she had been managed at a private hospital for generalized body swelling and difficulty in breathing.
The statement explained that further investigations conducted at COOUTH revealed significant anaemia, with a packed cell volume (PCV) of 20 per cent, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion.
Based on the clinical findings and laboratory investigations, the medical team diagnosed the patient with nephrotic syndrome.
According to the hospital, nephrotic syndrome is a serious kidney condition that can be associated with significant maternal and foetal risks, particularly in a pregnant patient.
The statement further explained that, following a comprehensive clinical evaluation and a review by a multidisciplinary medical team, the patient’s husband was counselled on the need to terminate the pregnancy in the interest of preserving his wife’s life.
However, both the patient and her husband initially declined the recommendation of the medical team.
The hospital stated that the patient was subsequently transfused with three units of blood, following which her blood level improved.
She also received other multidisciplinary medical interventions and supportive care as part of the management of her condition.
However, the hospital said the patient’s clinical condition subsequently deteriorated and she eventually lapsed into unconsciousness.
According to the statement, the husband then gave consent on the same day for the termination of the pregnancy.
The multidisciplinary medical team, the hospital said, immediately commenced preparations to carry out the procedure.
“Sadly, despite these efforts, the patient passed away later that same day, before the termination of pregnancy could be performed,” the statement said.
The hospital explained that the unfortunate outcome was associated with the progression of the patient’s severe underlying medical condition, rather than the minor ailment portrayed in some social media reports.
COOUTH expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, praying that God grants her soul eternal rest.
The management also extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi and said it shared in their grief during the difficult period.
However, while acknowledging the public interest generated by the incident, the hospital urged individuals and social media users to refrain from circulating unverified and misleading information that could cause unnecessary public anxiety or damage the reputation of healthcare professionals and institutions committed to saving lives.
The management stressed that COOUTH remains committed to ethical, evidence-based medical practice and will continue to provide quality healthcare services in accordance with the highest professional standards.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to respecting patient confidentiality while providing appropriate medical care to patients entrusted to the institution.
In the statement, the hospital reiterated:
“Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has noted with concern the misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the unfortunate demise of Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi.
“Contrary to claims that the patient presented to our hospital at 14 weeks of pregnancy with ‘cold and catarrh,’ hospital records show that she presented to our facility after having been managed at a private hospital for generalized body swelling and difficulty in breathing.
“Further investigations conducted at our hospital revealed significant anaemia, with a packed cell volume (PCV) of 20%, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion. Based on these clinical findings and investigations, a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome was made.”
The hospital maintained that the circumstances surrounding the patient’s demiss should be understood within the context of her documented medical condition and the treatment provided at the facility, rather than through unverified accounts circulating on social media.