President Bola Tinubu paid a visit to the victims of the explosion at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on Saturday. During his visit, he inspected the damages to the hospital in order to plan for future repairs.
The president took the time to personally speak with the seven patients who were still at the accident and emergency unit, North West Ward, as well as those in the Private Suite of the hospital.
He expressed his regret over the unfortunate incident and inquired about the level of care provided at the hospital. Representing President Tinubu, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister for State Health and Social Welfare, conveyed the president’s greetings to the victims and emphasized the government’s commitment to the well-being of the people in the country.
The purpose of the visit was twofold: to visit the victims of the explosion and to assess the unfortunate incident that occurred. The president was informed that a number of victims had been brought to UCH, so he requested that I personally visit each of them and provide him with a report.
The president’s actions demonstrate his care, intention, and passion for the citizens of Nigeria, as well as his determination to improve our healthcare system. Out of the 17 patients brought to UCH, 10 have already been discharged alive. I have personally seen the remaining seven patients who are currently admitted, and they are progressing well. When I asked them about the care they were receiving at UCH, each of them expressed their satisfaction with the excellent care they were receiving.
To ensure the safety of everyone in the hospital, the Chief Medical Director has established an engineering committee to conduct integrity tests on the affected buildings. Our priority is to provide a safe environment for our patients, staff, and all others in the hospital.
During the visit, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, the Chief Medical Director, provided an update to President Tinubu. He informed him that the hospital had received a total of 20 victims from the explosion, with three of them brought in dead and kept in the hospital’s morgue. Ten patients have been discharged, and the remaining seven are currently receiving treatment.
Professor Otegbayo also mentioned that, at present, the hospital has not been charging these patients. However, he has instructed the preparation of their bills, which are expected to amount to hundreds of thousands of Naira.
