Boy dies after swallowing groundnut as hospital fails to provide tracheostomy tube

A heartbreaking incident has surfaced online after a father shared the tragic story of his little boy’s passing due to a lack of medical equipment in Ebonyi State hospital.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the man recounted how he desperately went from hospital to hospital in Abakaliki, seeking a scan to determine what was obstructing his son’s breathing.
After several attempts, he managed to get the scan done.
However, he lamented that the hospital lacked a tracheostomy tube to ease breathing, which ultimately worsened his condition.
Expressing his frustration, he wrote:
“Since 12 p.m., I have been running around Abakaliki to get an X-ray for my son, who swallowed something that has been affecting his breathing, yet no hospital could attend to us. I’m currently at FETHA 1, and they are referring us to UNTH Enugu.”
He continued:
“God, don’t let anything happen to my son! Ebonyi State is your forefathers’ home; nothing will happen to you. Since 12 p.m., they are just now agreeing to treat you.”
“The whole of Ebonyi State does not have a tracheostomy tube to remove groundnut, and the scan results show nothing.”
Following his son’s tragic passing, the grieving father demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his child’s death.
“I need an autopsy to determine the cause of death. I wasn’t there because I was arrested. Before the oxygen, my son was fine aside from the breathing difficulty. Even when he was releasing foamy saliva, none of the doctors made a move.”
He also expressed regret over relocating to Ebonyi, saying:
“I came back home to Ebonyi with my family, hoping for a fresh start, but today, I regret my decision.”
As the post circulated online, concerned individuals flooded the comment section, expressing their condolences and outrage over the state of healthcare in the region.
See some reactions below:
@UgwunnaEjikem: “How can a whole Fed. hospital not have a fuckin bronchoscope? This thing is so painful, cos it’s such an avoidable death. Idc bout the man, he’s one of those myopic folks who think politicking > governance, it’s the innocent boy I’m heartbroken for, kai! kai! kai! It’s well.”
@lizzie_Dior: “OMG,may his soul rest in peace. Meanwhile people are advocating for the bad governance.”
@khanofkhans11_: “Sooooo many deaths in this country is avoidable. Plenty are either due to poorly funded hospitals or negligence. Very painful.”
@omolaraolarerin: “God! That’s how they killed my father due to lack of oxygen in oxygen tank. Ah! Ikunle abiamo!!!”
@n6oflife6: “Umahi and Nwifuru are building useless Flyovers where they can pad budget and steal money yet Hospitals dont have the most Basic equipment. APC is a Curse.”
@vincentobinna14: “The state govt recently spent millions of Naira to send people on pilgrimage but have failed to equip hospitals in the state with all the equipment they need.”
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