••• Threatens litigation for unethical publication
The management of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, UNIMEDTH, Ondo has condemned the news making the round via different social media handles belonging to one Oluyemi Fasipe, YemieFash Media alleging purported looting of ICU equipment donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Addressing newsmen in the hospital, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Ondo state, Oluwole Ige who described the story as untrue asked Fasipe to retract the fake news or face litigation.
The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Michael Gbala, who spoke on behalf of the CMD said, “Our attention as the Management of University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo State was drawn to a viral publication making the round via different social media handles belonging to one Oluyemi Fasipe, CEO, YemieFash Media alleging purported looting of ICU equipment donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
“Ordinarily, the management of the Institution would not have dignified the said report with a response but for the need to set the record straight and reassure the well-meaning individuals and the general public, the donor of the equipment (RCCG) and other prospective donors of a known culture of effective usage and management of donated equipment by the Hospital.
“We have invited you here today to set the record straight and correct the maligning impression already created.
“A Media tour of the facility will be carried out to confirm the physical presence of all the equipment at the various designated point of usage.
“As at the moment, we hereby emphatically state that all the equipment are intact and at optimal use at the various points of service within the Hospital.
“As a matter of fact, a monitoring and evaluation team of His Love Foundation (RCCG), the Christian Social Responsibility Ministry of the Redeemed Christian Church of God that donated the equipment visited the Hospital for its usual routine check on 9th November, 2023 to verify the state and level of usage of the equipment. Their findings according to what they saw was very satisfactory.
“The Management is aware of a feeble attempt at retraction by Mr Yemi Fasipe on his unethical publication.
“The management hereby demands an unequivocal retraction of this false publication and an unreserved apology within the next 48 hours from Mr. Yemi Fasipe, the author of the maligning report.
“Failure to do this, the management will not hesitate to press legal actions against Mr. Oluyemi Fasipe for his libelous publication against the Hospital.
“We also seize this occasion to advise other journalists, writers and bloggers to be conscious of the colossal damage that can be done to any institution, persons and leaders of such institutions each time falsehood is propagated against them.
“As Management, we are not aversed to being held accountable as stewards of public enterprise but do hope and seriously advocate that a proper verification of information should always be considered before publication and not just engagement in sensationalism.
“We seek the support of the media in moving the institution forward. UNIMEDTHC is a pride to us in Ondo state and deserve our collective support in one way or the other especially at this tough time of unabating Japa Syndrome.
“Those of us who have stayed back in Nigeria against all odds to sustain the health of the nation and training of younger generation should be encouraged and not vilified and further demotivated with hateful and untrue scourge of words as done by Mr Oluyemi Fasipe .
“The management of the Hospital wishes to use this opportunity once again to re-echo its appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, under the Headship of our Revered Father in the Lord, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, for this great good to humanity through the donation of the equipment.
“The equipment so far, have been highly beneficial to several hundreds of patients in area of ICU care, Echocardiography, anaesthesia and renal services.
“Finally, we also want to appreciate Ondo State government for the continuous support to the Teaching Hospital. There is an ongoing 500 bed facility in Akure and Ondo which is about 90 Percent completed. We are grateful to other private individuals and organizations that have supported the institution and reassure them of efficient usage of their donated equipment.
“The Unimed Teaching Hospital has collaborated and also grateful to Lion’s club, Mr Ogunwumiju Akinlolu and others who have made equipment donations.
“We also appeal to individuals and private establishment that the Teaching Hospital is willing to collaborate with interested persons, partners, organizations in any form that will enhance her to deliver and improve on the core mandates of clinical services, training and research.”
