The Ondo State Government has assured that it will investigate the alleged sale of caskets at the premises of the UNIMED Teaching Hospital (Akure Annex).
The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Health Matters, Simidele Odimayo, who led a team of doctors from the Ministry of Health on a visit to the premises of the UNIMED Teaching Hospital (Akure Annex), said though such act is unethical, the government would respond appropriately.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had, at the end of its monthly congress, expressed displeasure over the deteriorating health facilities across the State and the challenges patients face in accessing quality healthcare.
The union also described the situation, where caskets are sold directly opposite the Out-Patient Department (OPD) and close to the Emergency Unit, as insensitive and psychologically distressing for patients and their families.
But Odimayo said, “You know, we didn’t give these people any information before coming to see what is happening. Now that we are informed about what is happening, we have responded appropriately as it is, and we will continue with our investigation to be sure we don’t allow any unexpected or untoward things to happen within the system.“
Asked if it is professional to sell caskets in the hospital, Odimayo said, “I will have to discuss with the team of the! hospital management, we have the CMD here, we have others, the head of clinical services, and some of my other professional colleagues that are here.
“I will interact with them, and then, actually first of all, we need to get the authenticity of the information they have given us. And then from there, you can be sure that we will respond appropriately, and what is needed will be done.“
He however reiterated the state government commitment towards providing adequate, affordable and high-quality healthcare services to all residents of the state.
