Inmate who gave birth to twins in Calabar prison is dead

A female inmate who gave birth to twins at the Afokang prison in Cross River state has died from “post natal complications”.

Effanga Etim, public relations officer of the state prison command, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, the mother of the twins—a girl and a boy— died two days after delivery.

The inmate had given birth through Ceasarean section on April 17.

“The Nigerian Prisons Service, Cross River command, is pained over the loss of the said inmate after a combined effort by the prison authority, the Cross River Government and medical personnel in the General Hospital, Calabar,” the statement read.

“However, due to complications arising from the Cesarean Section, she was referred to UCTH for further management, where she died on 19th April, 2019.

“We assure the public that the health and welfare of prisoners remain our top priority.”

The PRO said reports of the babies being delivered at its infirmary are false.

“The command wishes to state emphatically that for the past four years, there has not been any delivery in the Calabar prison infirmary,” he said.

“Albeit, the infirmary is well equipped to handle health emergencies that may arise with nine medical experts comprising of a medical doctor, registered nurses/midwives and community health workers.

“We also have back-up medical personnel stationed in the State Prison Headquarters. Any emergency beyond the infirmary is referred to government hospitals outside the prison.”

Etim explained that the deceased was remanded by a high court in Calabar on November  5, 2018 with a six month-old pregnancy for the offence of child stealing.

“While in prison, she had been under regular ante-natal care at the General Hospital, Calabar. On 17th of April, 2019, by 1:30pm when her labour began, she was admitted in the same hospital and a Cesarean Section was carried out on her,” he said.

Speaking to NAN on behalf of the state government, Inyang Asibong, the commissioner for health, expressed shock over the inmate’s death, saying the state government had already taken up the care of the twins.

“Following the release from the prison authorities about her death, I wish to state that we will continue to do our best for the care of the children,’’ she said.