The strike has effectively grounded activities at the hospital, leaving patients particularly pregnant women without access to critical care.
A Nigerian cleric, Fr. Celestine Eze, has condemned Nigerian authorities over the ongoing industrial action by doctors at the National Hospital, Abuja, following the alleged death of a pregnant woman who was reportedly denied medical attention due to the strike.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has been described as a tragic consequence of the prolonged shutdown of medical services at one of the country’s foremost tertiary healthcare facilities.
The strike has effectively grounded activities at the hospital, leaving patients particularly pregnant women without access to critical care.
In a viral video he shared on his Facebook page and obtained by SaharaReporters, Fr. Eze was seen lamenting the death of the pregnant woman, who was said to have been referred to the National Hospital for urgent medical attention but allegedly died after arriving to find no doctors on duty.
Visibly distressed, Fr. Eze described the situation as heartbreaking and unacceptable for a hospital regarded as one of Nigeria’s best.
“This is the National Hospital, supposedly the best hospital in Nigeria, yet everywhere is deserted,” he said. “Pregnant women cannot be attended to because doctors are on strike.”
“Government does not care. People are dying. It hurts to be in Nigeria; it truly hurts,” he said.
He further stated that patients were present at the hospital but were left unattended, stressing that the deceased woman had been referred specifically to see a doctor but reportedly died without receiving care.
“A particular woman was referred here to see a doctor, but she has died. Nobody attended to her. It is painful and heartbreaking that this is what we are witnessing in Nigeria,” he said.
Fr. Eze expressed deep frustration over the state of healthcare in the country, warning that systemic failures affect all citizens, regardless of status.
“This is January 3, 2026, and everything is frustrating and unbearable. Why is Nigeria like this? It hurts deeply,” he said.
“God will not forgive politicians for this wickedness until they change. If you think your children are safe, don’t be deceived, this failure will touch everyone sooner or later.”
The incident has renewed calls for urgent government intervention to resolve the dispute with striking doctors and prevent further loss of lives.