A woman who disguised as a medical doctor has stolen a three-day-old baby girl, Gift Chukwuebuka, at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, Plateau State.
The 30-year-old mother of the baby, Mary Chukwuebuka who spoke to journalists in Jos yesterday, said the baby was taken away from her on Friday, May 31, 2019, three days after birth by a lady who disguised as medical personnel working in the hospital.
Mrs. Chukwuebuka said the lady, who was dressed in a medical laboratory coat came straight to her bed in the hospital and requested to carry the baby to the children’s ward for a blood sample.
The mother, at first resisted and said a doctor just left them after cross-examination but did not mention that the baby was sick or there was a need to run a test.
The lady insisted that she was directed by the doctor to carry the child to the children’s ward for a blood sample and she willingly released the baby believing that she was medical personnel working in the hospital.
Mrs. Chukwuebuka said she came to the hospital on Monday, May 28, and gave birth on Tuesday, May 27, at about 4:47, while the baby was stolen on Friday, May 31, 2019.
“I came to the hospital on Monday to deliver my baby. I have been coming for antenatal until I was due for delivery. The doctor asked me to go to Gyne emergency but I told him that I needed to go home first and pick my things because I had nobody at home and he permitted me to go and come back.
“When I came back, I was induced for several hours and I gave birth on Tuesday in the morning at about 3:47 am after severe bleeding. I was told that I will undergo a blood transfusion. My husband was not around, so, I had to call my mother to go and look for money. She tried but she didn’t get.
“Later, we got a donor but his blood group did not match my own and he left. A nurse agreed to help and she got some blood packs for us and the transfusion was done on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“I was hoping that I will be discharged that Friday but the doctor said I will be given another blood. I told him I was okay, and that I didn’t have money to continue with the blood transfusion.
“The doctor came in the evening and said that they will run another test but I told him that I was not given any form in respect to that and he left the ward.
“At about 6:19 am, another lady came and moved straight to my bed and asked for my baby. I showed her the baby and she said, she would take the baby to the children’s ward for a blood sample. I refused but she insisted. So, I gave her the baby on the ground that she was medical personnel.
“After some time, I heard the cry of the baby and I thought they were taking the blood sample. When they didn’t return the baby, I asked my mother to go to the children’s ward and find out what was happening. When she got there, the baby was not there. I stood up and started looking for the baby. I informed the management of the hospital and they informed the police. And since then, I have not seen my baby.”
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Philemon Golwa said the management contacted the police immediately they were informed of the incident.
Dr. Golwa promised that efforts were being intensified to ensure that the baby is recovered.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Matthias Tyopev, said the police had commenced an investigation into the matter with a view to tracking down the suspect.
