A female inmate of the Afokang prison, Calabar (name withheld), has given birth to twins, a boy and girl, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, told NAN on Saturday in Calabar that the lady gave birth to the twins on Thursday at the Prison yard in Calabar.
The commissioner said she received a distress call from the prison authorities about an inmate with complicated labour issues.
She disclosed that her team immediately swung into action to provide health services to the inmate.
“The Cross River Government has taken responsibility for a set of twins delivered by a female inmate of the Calabar Prisons.
“The lady was delivered of a set of twins, a boy and a girl, and unfortunately developed some postpartum morbidity and had to be referred for expert management.
“The state government had taken over management of the babies and already christened them Benedict and Linda Ayade
“While awaiting full recovery of the mother. This also highlights the magnanimity of the governor in ensuring no child goes to bed hungry,” she said.
She told said the prison authority commended the State Government for the swift response in arresting the situation following her critical condition.
When NAN correspondent visited the prisons, the authority could not disclose the identity of the lady, saying it was classified as she was still an inmate.
An officer who pleaded anonymity, said the lady was currently receiving treatment in a medical facility in Calabar.
When asked when the lady was admitted into the prison, the officer said: “That is a classified information and I can’t give answer to that please.”
Meanwhile the Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade has donated N1 million and other gift items to the management of the General Hospital Calabar for the upkeep of the prison inmate who gave birth to twins at the hospital on Thursday April 18.
Ayade, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, said on Saturday in Calabar that the gesture was a special Easter gift to the mother of the twins; a boy and girl.
Ayade noted that in the spirit of the Easter season, `the beautiful babies deserve love and care’.
Ayade said that in line with his welfare policy and love for children, the twins were named after him and his wife, Ben and Linda Ayade.
“Right now, the mother of the twins is not with us because we had to refer her to a higher facility for further medical attention. But she had a successful Caesarean Section.
“We have these two beautiful babies here with us. We will be following them up regularly and today we are here to present a special gift for their upkeep.
“We are donating a cash amount of N1 million and these items to the hospital to help in the management of these children until the mother is well, safe and sound.
“Further, we are going to have discussions with the prison authority to know the next step in what to do.
“But as we speak, the state government is handling the care of the children because we care and we are in the season of Easter.
“The governor has executive powers, we are going to work with our social welfare unit to try and see the extent of the crime and know if the mother can be pardoned because of these two beautiful children,’’ he said.
Responding, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Etim Ayi, commended the state government for its magnanimity, love and care for the inmate.
Ayi said that the babies were delivered in the facility through a Caesarean Section before the mother was referred to a higher facility due to some complications.
“The mother of the twins is an inmate. She was brought here in labour with some complications.
“But we had to deliver her here with the help of some physician before referring her to a higher facility for further medication.
“As we speak, the mother is recovering quite well and the babies are also fine. We just received the Easter gifts and cash donation for the upkeep of the children,’’ he said.
