A Nigerian cleric, Fr. Celestine Eze, has criticized government authorities over the ongoing doctors’ strike at the National Hospital, Abuja, following the reported death of a pregnant woman who was allegedly denied medical care due to the industrial action.

The incident, said to have occurred on Saturday, has been described as a tragic outcome of the prolonged disruption of medical services at one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary health institutions.

The strike has reportedly brought activities at the hospital to a standstill, leaving many patients—especially pregnant women—without access to essential and life-saving care.

In a viral video shared on his Facebook page and obtained by SaharaReporters, Fr. Eze was seen emotionally lamenting the situation. He claimed that the pregnant woman had been referred to the National Hospital for urgent treatment but died after arriving to find no doctors available to attend to her.

Visibly shaken, the cleric described the scene as disturbing and unacceptable for a facility widely regarded as one of the best hospitals in the country.

“This is the National Hospital, supposed to be the best in Nigeria, yet everywhere is deserted,” he said. “Pregnant women cannot be treated because doctors are on strike.”

He accused the government of negligence, stating that lives were being lost due to a lack of concern from those in authority.

“People are dying. It hurts to be in Nigeria; it truly hurts,” he added.

Fr. Eze further explained that several patients were present at the hospital but left unattended, emphasizing that the deceased woman had specifically been referred to see a doctor but reportedly received no medical help before her death.

Expressing deep frustration with the state of the nation’s healthcare system, he warned that its collapse affects everyone, regardless of social status.

“This is January 3, 2026, and everything feels unbearable. Why is Nigeria like this?” he asked. “God will not forgive politicians for this wickedness unless they change. No one should think they are immune—this failure will reach everyone.”

The incident has sparked renewed calls for urgent government action to resolve the dispute with striking doctors and prevent further loss of lives.