By Karen James
The family of Rebekah Sekidika, a first-class graduate of the Benson Idahosa University, Benin, Edo State, who died while undergoing a medical procedure at the ‘Paragon Clinics and Images’ in Port Harcourt, is calling for justice. Three months after her untimely death, the family expressed their disappointment at the delay in charging the matter to court.
Rebekah, a 24-year-old microbiology graduate, was preparing to pursue her Masters in the United Kingdom when the incident occurred. Her father, Sampson Sekidika, accused the medical personnel of negligence and incompetence, stating that her procedure did not require surgery. He expressed sadness that despite the release of the autopsy and toxicology report, the matter has yet to be brought before a judge.
The family revealed that a panel of inquiry was formed by the Rivers State Commissioner of Health to investigate the case. After the autopsy and toxicology report were released three weeks ago, copies were sent to the panel and other relevant bodies. Expert reviews have also been conducted on the cause of Rebekah’s death. However, the family is concerned that no progress has been made in pursuing legal action.
Sampson Sekidika stressed that justice will not bring back his daughter but will provide closure to the case and ensure that medical practitioners exercise greater caution. He urged the Commissioner of Police to take immediate action, emphasizing the importance of holding medical professionals accountable to prevent further loss of lives due to negligence and incompetence.
While the findings of the panel set up by the State Commissioner for Health are not yet known, the family is confident that justice will be served based on the testimonies and expert opinions submitted. They are seeking the support of the Executive Governor of Rivers State and the Commissioner for Health to expedite the legal process and bring about necessary changes to the healthcare system.
The passing of Rebekah Sekidika has taken a toll on the family since February 2. They described the experience as mentally draining and traumatic, expressing their desire for no one to endure such suffering. The family hopes that pursuing this case will bring justice for their daughter and bring about improvements to the healthcare system to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
