Stolen Placenta: Our Child Will Not Be Successful If We Don’t See The Placenta–family

Stolen Placenta: Our Child Will Not Be Successful If We Don’t See The Placenta–family

....Nurses Begged Us Not To Mention It To Anyone, Not To Pay Bill –Mother

The joy that usually comes with the birth of a new baby is still missing in the family of the Ijanusi as family members are still in search of the placenta of the baby girl who was given birth to since June 15. Babatope Okeowo reports the frustration of the mother, father and family members over the stolen placenta of the baby.

When 19 years old Joy gave birth to a baby girl at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Emure-Ile in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, after nine months of waiting she was very happy and thanked God.

But the joy was short- lived as the placenta that was supposed to be handed over with the child to the parent was missing.

The 23 year-old, father, Tunde Ijanusi and 19 year- old mother of the child, Joy John, who explained what transpired, said they were worried over the failure to give them the placenta of their new born by those who took the delivery.

The usual practice is for hospital to hand over both the child and placenta to either of the parents. But failure of the Comprehensive Health Centre, Emure-Ile, to give the parents the placenta of their baby girl has led to uproar as the family said the destiny of the child would be tampered with if the placenta is not buried in accordance with the culture and tradition of the people.

Speaking with our correspondent, the distraught mother insisted that the hospital must produce the placenta of her baby.

Her words: “We went to the hospital when I was in labour. We were told by the nurse that I should engage myself in exercise in the morning, I gave birth to the child around 8 pm, then my husband came in as I delivered, the nurses asked him to get what I will eat, so before his arrival, it was after 11pm, the nurses have slept.

It was in the morning when he was about to bring cash that my mother in-law called my husband and asked about the placenta. They went to meet the nurses to ask them so that they could carry it. “The cleaner intruded and asked that what did they want?

My mother in- law told her she wanted to get the placenta from the nurses, then the cleaner said my mother in-law should ask her anything she needed.My mother in-law asked the cleaner about the placenta and the cleaner went into where I delivered the baby.

She came out telling us that she did not see the placenta; she then called all the nurses around, they went there together and they could not find it either, then my mother in-law said we could not carry the baby home without the placenta, then they started begging us that we should not let anyone know about it.

They said we should not pay for delivery or service that we should only pay for the medicines we bought, my mother in-law and my husband disagreed and went to report to the police, the police came around and did investigation, then they said that maybe dog had carried the placenta, the police then said how will a dog carry the placenta without dog in the vicinity, the nurses were arrested.

“I do not know what they meant; I do not know them nor did I offend them. All the family members insisted on seeing the placenta, they should give us the placenta.

It is impossible for a dog to carry the placenta because the room where I delivered the baby was locked and there was no way a dog will enter.

I want the government to please help me get the placenta from them, and the government should help us because we have no one, and I know very much that there is law and punishment for whoever goes against the law, because we all know what placenta means in Yoruba land.

This is my first child, how will they give me a child without the placenta; I am begging them in the name of Almighty God, they should give us the placenta.”

The paternal grandmother of the girl, Mrs Funmilayo Ijanusi, said it was the usual practice in Yorubaland to handover new child with the placenta to the parents.

She said the placentas of her children were either handed over to her or to the husband. She said this was this first time she would hear that the placenta of the child would not be given to either the father or mother. She said: “I was there throughout the night.

It was one of the nurses that prevented my son from going into the labour room and told my son to go and get food for his wife. I was the one that invited the police. When the police came, they said it may be dog that took away the placenta of the baby.

I said there was no way dog could enter where they took delivery of the child. The police should investigate the matter thoroughly. It is impossible for the child to be successful without the placenta.”

Some neighbours of the Ijanusis, including Makun Olawoye said the importance of the placenta to the family was enormous and described it as the child’s glory which is dangerous to be in the wrong hands. He said necessary action must be taken in ensuring justice is served in the matter.

Reactions trail the missing placenta

Different reactions have continued to trail the disappearance of the placenta from the hospital. The State Chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has dissociated any of its members from the case of alleged missing placenta of a newborn at Emure- Ile Comprehensive Health Centre in Owo Local Government Area of the State.

In a Press Statement signed by the state Chairman of the Association, Comrade Kehinde Olomiye, NAN- NM explained that the two health workers and security man apprehended in connection with the stolen placenta were not qualified nurses and not its members.

Comrade Olomi- ye noted that no nurse was arrested by the police over the allegation. Olomiye charged the police and the hospital authorities to carry out thorough investigation on the incident to prevent recurrence.

Similarly, the National Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) has advocated that justice be served in the case of alleged missing placenta of a newborn at Emure-Ile Comprehensive Health Centre in Owo Local Government Area of the State.

While describing the ugly development as unprofessional, the women journalists through its Chairperson and Secretary Mrs Tola Gbadamosi and Oluwatosin Ighoteguono maintained that no stone must be left unturned in getting to the root of the matter.

The Association frowned at the odd treatment meted out to the family going by the years they have been waiting for the fruit of the womb as the hospital officials also claimed that a dog entered the facility, taking away the placenta.

The Association called on the state government, relevant security agencies, and Ministry of Health to urgently probe further into the issue, bring perpetrators to book and get Justice for the innocent child.

A Non Governmental Organisation, (NGO) the Restoration Of The Dignity Of Womanhood (ROTDOW), an organisation working on ending violence against women and girls with support from WARDC has called for probe into the matter just as it advocated that justice must be served on those found culpable in the crime.

The CEO, ROTDOW, Mrs. Olabisi Omolona, said the case of alleged missing placenta must not be swept under the carpet as it is a crime against humanity.

Omolona who frowned at the odd treatment meted out to the family going by the years of waiting for the fruit of the womb said it was not only appalling but distasteful that the hospital officials claimed a dog entered the facility to take away the placenta.

While commending the family for speaking up in the face of violence, Mrs. Omolona said those apprehended in connection with the crime must be brought to book.

Her words: “We are particularly calling on the Ondo State government, relevant security agencies, and the Ministry of Health to look into this matter and bring all perpetrators to book”. She added that no stone must be left unturned.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Fun- milayo Odunlami Omis- anya, who confirmed the incident said three persons a nurse, health assistant and security officer had been arrested in connection with the missing placenta.

She said investigation would unravel the motive for the act and whoever is found wanting would face the wrath of the law.

Government Reacts

The state government through the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said the incident is criminal in nature and that it would allow the law enforcement agency to complete its investigation.

He said it was after the criminal procedure had been completed that the administrative process would be carried out by the government.