PREGNANT WOMAN DIES MID-OPERATION AS JEHOVAH WITNESS DOCTOR REFUSES BLOOD TRANSFUSION
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| Victoria Paris |
Chris Adams, a grieving Nigerian man, has turned to social media to express his profound sorrow and demand justice following the tragic death of his pregnant wife, Victoria Paris. Adams's heart-wrenching Facebook post details the circumstances surrounding Victoria's passing, which he attributes to alleged medical negligence and the imposition of religious beliefs by a doctor at Standard Maternity Clinic in Port Harcourt.
Victoria, seven months pregnant with their child, experienced severe abdominal pains, prompting Adams to rush her to Standard Maternity Clinic, a facility where she had previously delivered their other children without incident. This time, however, the situation spiraled into a nightmare. A Caesarean section (CS) was deemed necessary and performed, but while the surgery was initially successful, Victoria suffered significant blood loss, creating a critical need for a blood transfusion.
This is where Adams alleges the negligence began. According to his account, the doctor at Standard Maternity Clinic refused to authorize the necessary blood transfusion, citing her religious beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness, a faith that discourages blood transfusions. Adams expressed his outrage that the doctor seemingly prioritized her religious convictions over the life of his wife, a decision he believes directly led to Victoria's untimely demise.
Adding to his anguish, Adams recounted the deplorable conditions at the hospital during the operation. He claimed that a power outage occurred mid-surgery, forcing the medical team to scramble to start a generator, a chaotic and unprofessional situation that further compromised Victoria's well-being.
Adams further alleged that the family was manipulated into signing a consent form for the operation, suggesting a deliberate attempt to conceal the risks and potential complications. He firmly believes that the doctor's unwavering adherence to her religious beliefs, coupled with the substandard operating environment, directly contributed to Victoria's death.
"We lost our beloved to the cold hands of death," Adams wrote in his anguished Facebook post. "My beloved was 7 months pregnant and started feeling pains in her stomach. She was rushed to Standard Maternity Clinic here in Port Harcourt at Borokiri Church Hill. To be honest, it was at this hospital she gave birth to her other children, but this case was different. She gave birth through CS — I mean operation. The doctor ran an operation on her, which was successful, but my beloved lost a lot of blood and needed blood to support her life. But the doctor said she doesn’t do that in her hospital because she is a religious person (Jehovah’s Witness). First, you forget your religion before running a hospital. Second, you run an operation in your hospital with Nigerian NEPA light, which failed during the operation before they started running to put on the generator. My beloved was killed by the doctor’s religious belief. The family was tricked to sign for the operation because of their selfish interest. Victoria Paris, we miss you. I NEED JUSTICE FOR MY BELOVED."
Adams's story has sparked outrage and debate online, raising critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals, the prioritization of religious beliefs in medical emergencies, and the standards of care provided in medical facilities. He is determined to seek justice for his deceased wife and unborn child, hoping to hold those responsible accountable for their alleged negligence and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The incident has cast a spotlight on the delicate balance between religious freedom and the fundamental right to life-saving medical treatment.