Kelion Nwoha-Mba’s life changed forever when his wife, Fiona, tragically died at a government hospital in Lagos. He alleges that medical negligence led to her death during childbirth, claiming her fibroid and womb were removed without his consent. In this emotional account, Kelion shares his side of the story.
Can You Tell Us What Happened?
“I’m from Imo State, and I married Fiona seven years ago. We have three children—two boys and one girl. Fiona was 35 years old at the time.
On October 29, 2024, Fiona was scheduled for a caesarean section. We arrived at the hospital that morning, prepared for what was supposed to be a routine procedure. After our baby boy was delivered, the doctors told me they had removed fibroid from Fiona during the operation.
They even asked me to buy a container to take the fibroid home. That’s when I started questioning their actions.
I asked, ‘Who authorised this?’ This concerned me deeply because I had lost two cousins to complications from fibroid surgeries, and a friend’s wife had recently died after a similar operation. Fiona had been living with fibroid since before our first child was born, but we never planned for its removal.
After the fibroid surgery, Fiona was brought out of the theatre, but complications began to arise.”
What Complications Did She Face?
“Shortly after the operation, I noticed her stomach swelling. The doctors said she was bleeding internally and needed more blood immediately. Since Fiona’s blood type is O-negative, finding the right blood was a challenge, but we managed to get it after several hours.
Despite this, her condition worsened, and they rushed her back into the theatre. They later informed me that they had removed her womb to stop the bleeding. They didn’t ask for my consent before this surgery either.
After the second operation, she was moved to the recovery room and put on oxygen. She was alive but unresponsive, only making occasional movements. For almost six hours, she didn’t regain consciousness. Then, the worst happened.”
How Did You React to Her Passing?
“It felt like the world stopped. How do you even begin to describe such a moment? This wasn’t just anyone—it was my wife, the woman I had built a life with for seven years.
I was there as they tried to revive her. The medical staff worked on her for almost an hour, but they eventually told me she was gone. It was like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.”
Were You Consulted Before the Fibroid and Womb Were Removed?
“No, I wasn’t informed about either procedure. The doctors only told me about the fibroid removal after it had been done. They didn’t give me any options or ask for my consent.
If they had explained the situation earlier, I would have agreed to remove the womb during the first surgery. We already had three children, and we weren’t planning for more. But I wasn’t given the opportunity to make that decision. Their actions triggered a chain of events that led to her death.”
Did You Confront the Hospital About Their Actions?
“At that moment, I couldn’t even think straight. The shock of losing my wife left me numb. Later, as family and friends came to support me, I began to process what had happened and started asking questions.
The hospital staff’s response was dismissive. When I went to request a medical report, the managing director casually offered condolences. It felt insincere. My wife had been their patient for months, yet no one contacted us after her death. Their lack of accountability is appalling.”
Was This Your First Experience With the Hospital?
“Yes, it was. Fiona had been attending antenatal care there, and we believed it was one of the best hospitals in Lagos. Our other children were born in different hospitals outside Lagos, but Fiona wanted to try this one.
Initially, everything seemed fine. The staff appeared professional, and the hospital had a good reputation. But this incident revealed a different side—a lack of preparedness and disregard for patient safety.”
Are You Considering Legal Action?
“Taking legal action against a government hospital is not easy. It involves costly procedures like autopsies and years of court battles.
However, I’m determined to pursue justice if I can find the right support. A good lawyer willing to take the case pro bono could make this possible.
Right now, my focus is on raising my children. Managing this alongside a legal battle seems overwhelming, but I believe my wife’s death shouldn’t be in vain. If this can prevent other families from experiencing the same pain, it’s worth fighting for.”
How Are You Coping With the Loss?
“Every day feels surreal. I wake up, take my kids to school, and try to keep life moving. Explaining to my children, especially when they ask about their mum, is the hardest part.
I sleep hoping this is all a bad dream, but reality hits me every morning. There’s no manual for dealing with this kind of pain. I’m just doing my best to stay strong for my kids.”
Did You Face Additional Challenges After Her Death?
“Yes. The hospital billed me N350,000 before releasing her body. After negotiating, they reduced it to N150,000. Including other expenses, I spent nearly N900,000.
This financial burden adds to the emotional weight I’m already carrying. It feels like an insult after everything my family has been through.”
What Do You Want Authorities to Do?
“My wife’s death was avoidable. If the hospital had informed me about the fibroid and womb removal, things might have been different. Their negligence cost a life.
I want authorities to hold medical institutions accountable for such actions. Hospitals must obtain consent before performing major procedures. Lives are lost when these protocols are ignored, and families are left in shambles.”
What Will You Miss Most About Fiona?
“Her presence. Fiona was the life of any gathering—kind, loving, and full of energy. She wanted our children to grow up in a home filled with love.
Now, I find myself eating meals from restaurants instead of her kitchen. It’s a painful adjustment, but I’ll do my best to honour her memory and raise our kids the way she wanted.”
What Message Do You Have for Nigerians?
“To hospitals: If you’re not equipped to handle certain cases, don’t take them on. Patients trust you with their lives—don’t betray that trust through negligence.
To men: Appreciate women more. Every time they give birth, they risk their lives. Stop asking trivial questions like, ‘What do you bring to the table?’ Women bring life itself to the table.”
Kelion’s heartbreaking story is a wake-up call for better accountability in healthcare. His resilience, despite immense loss, highlights the need for systemic change to protect patients and their families.
