Former Governor Dave Umahi Shares Heartbreaking Account of Father’s Death Due to Medical Negligence

Former Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State shared a heart-wrenching account of his father’s passing, attributing it to the negligence of medical personnel at an undisclosed private hospital. The senator, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, revealed this during the ministerial screening of Mariya Mahmoud, a nominee from Kano State.

Umahi expressed his distress over his father’s untimely demise, stating, “My father died because of the negligence of that private hospital.” He recounted the circumstances surrounding his father’s passing while questioning Mariya Mahmoud, who is a medical doctor and public health practitioner, about addressing potential conflicts of interest within the healthcare sector.

Mahmoud, during her screening, was questioned by Umahi about strategies to address situations where doctors working in government hospitals also operate private medical centers, potentially affecting the quality of healthcare.

Umahi’s own personal experience highlighted the urgency of addressing such issues. He shared that his father, who had initially been treated at a government hospital, was later referred to a private hospital owned by a medical practitioner. Unfortunately, Umahi’s father passed away due to negligence at the private facility.

Mahmoud concurred with Umahi’s concerns, acknowledging that the dual practice of doctors in government hospitals and private medical centers can impact healthcare standards within the society. She affirmed the need to examine and strengthen the healthcare system to ensure that conflicts of interest do not compromise the quality of medical care.