Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo –
Akwa Ibom State government has warned that it would no longer condone a situation where members turn public hospitals into theatres for social media content at any perceived grievances or allegation of neglect over services rendered in healthcare facilities
It stated that going forward, “any person who verbally or physically assaults a healthcare provider including the rights of others patients will have to under psychiatric evaluation.”
This tough stance followed repeated incidents at a public health facility where relations of patients recorded and uploaded videos of patients allegedly being neglected by healthcare workers.
A medical doctor and Commissioner for Health, Ekem Emmanuel John, stated this at a press conference where he clarified a viral video alleging neglect at General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene.
He said anybody found guilty would be prosecuted under extant laws adding that “any individual who violates the rights and privacy of patients or staff members or disrupts peace will be held accountable.”
According to the commissioner, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Hospitals Management Board, Abraham Inyangudoh, said the National Health Act (section 11 (2) and (3) empowers healthcare institutions to protect providers and allows a healthcare provider to decline care for any person who is verbally or physically abusive except in cases where such a behaviour I’d due to psychiatric illness.
“We strongly encourage the public to channel all complaints , whether from private or public health facilities through the proper authorities including but not limited to the office of the health ombudsman at the ministry of health.
He advised that all health facilities (private and public) must prominently display helplines for public complaints and dispute adding that any government health facility that has yet to do this, must do so within the next 72 hours.
“Our hospitals will not be turned into theatres for social media content,” he said.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that a lady identified as Idongesit Edet on September 27 , 2025 released a viral video recorded at the Accident and Emergency unit of General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene alleging neglect of her mother by doctors and other healthcare professionals.
The lady is said to have forcefully entered a consulting room without permission, breaching the privacy of both the doctor and the patient being attended to.
The Hospitals Management Board denied the allegation, saying that despite disruption caused, staff would continued to provide professional and timely care
