Nigeria, Dec. 7 -- The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed a doctor and a nurse following the maternal and newborn deaths at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, an incident that sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of public health facilities in the oil-rich state.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Ekem John, disclosed this on Friday while receiving an award from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council.

Mr John said the affected health workers were absent from duty when a pregnant woman in active labour was rushed to the hospital months ago, leading to the death of both the mother and her baby.

"We've had a doctor dismissed. I'm sure some of you know that what happened at the General Hospi...