University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Fires Radiographer Over Patient’s Death

The management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has terminated the appointment of a Locum Radiographer following the death of a patient on Wednesday. The radiographer was dismissed for negligence of duty after failing to provide the key to the emergency X-ray room, delaying critical medical investigation.

A hospital source, who spoke anonymously, explained the chain of events. The patient was rushed to UCTH late the previous evening and initially attended to by the emergency team. After their initial treatment, the team called on the radiographer to assist in examining the patient’s lungs using the emergency X-ray room. However, the radiographer could not locate the key to the room. Despite hours of waiting, the patient went into a coma and tragically passed away.

The source added that the dismissed radiographer could not provide a satisfactory explanation for his inability to access the X-ray room. Shortly after the patient’s death, the hospital management issued a termination letter to the radiographer, dated January 22. The letter, signed by the hospital’s Director of Administration, Dr. Maria Bassey, simply stated that the services of the radiographer were no longer required, with no specific reason mentioned in the letter.

This incident has raised concerns about the hospital’s internal procedures and the responsibility of staff in critical care situations.