By Nworisa Michael
A student nurse in Enugu State has been indefinitely suspended after a viral video revealed troubling conditions at Uwani General Hospital, sparking widespread public outrage.
The incident has drawn criticism toward the administration of Peter Mbah, as many question the government’s response to the situation.
The controversy began in late March 2026 when the nurse shared a video on social media documenting severe infrastructural deficiencies at the state-owned hospital. In the footage, healthcare workers complained of operating in darkness due to lack of electricity, absence of running water, and unavailability of essential medical supplies such as oxygen—even while attending to a woman in labour.
In a follow-up video, the visibly distressed nurse confirmed she had been removed from her clinical duties and suspended indefinitely for speaking out.
“I’m the one who posted about the hospital… I’ve now been suspended and barred from my duties. We only wanted to draw attention to the problems,” she said.
Although the Enugu State Government reportedly responded initially by querying hospital management and addressing some of the issues raised, attention has since shifted to the disciplinary action taken against the nurse.
Hospital authorities maintain that the identified problems have been resolved. However, the decision not to reinstate the nurse has fueled criticism from civil society groups and online commentators, who describe the move as punitive and discouraging to whistle-blowers.
Healthcare workers had earlier described the facility as grossly inadequate, raising concerns about patient safety and quality of care.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the State Commissioner for Health, George Ugwu, were unsuccessful. However, a ministry official who spoke anonymously confirmed the suspension, stating that the nurse violated civil service procedures by not following internal reporting channels.
The development has intensified calls for the state government to intervene, with many urging authorities to protect, rather than punish, individuals who expose systemic failures in public institutions.
The situation continues to generate debate over accountability, healthcare standards, and the treatment of whistle-blowers in Nigeria.
