UNIMED Teaching Hospital debunks looting of ICU equipment

The University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo (UNIMEDTHC), on Wednesday, refuted the allegation of looting equipment donated to the hospital by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and other donor agencies, deeming it false and baseless.

The Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital, Prof. Oluwole Ige, who denied the allegations, expressed that the accusations were beyond the administration’s comprehension. He described them as unfair, laughable, and shameful.

Ige maintained that the equipment donated by RCCG and other donors is intact and actively utilised by the hospital for training students and clinical purposes, contrary to insinuations in some quarters.

Represented by the Chairman of Medical Anniversary, Dr. Michael Gbala, Ige stated that the alleged looting of ICU equipment donated by RCCG to the Teaching Hospital is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the hospital’s image.

He highlighted the Teaching Hospital’s accomplishments in providing standard and efficient clinical services, conducting research, and training health personnel at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Additionally, he disclosed that UNIMED has produced two sets of Medical Doctors and Dental Doctors, along with three sets of Physiotherapists, Graduate Nurses, Medical Laboratory Scientists, and others.

Ige pointed out that the publication aimed to dampen the morale of the university community, especially at a time when the staff should be celebrating successes and achievements, such as the induction of medical and dental doctors into their respective professions.

The hospital management demanded a retraction of the false publication and an unreserved apology within the next 48 hours from the author of the report, Mr. Yemi Fasipe. They emphasized that legal action would be pursued against Fasipe if the demands are not met.

“As of now, we emphatically state that all the equipment is intact and optimally utilized at various service points within the Hospital,” Ige asserted.

He highlighted a monitoring and evaluation visit by His Love Foundation (RCCG) on November 9, 2023, confirming the satisfactory state and usage of the equipment. The management was aware of a feeble attempt at retraction by Mr. Yemisi Fasipe, demanding an unequivocal retraction and an unreserved apology within the next 48 hours.

Ige urged media support in moving the institution forward, emphasizing the need for proper verification of information before publication and discouraging sensationalism.

The management expressed appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God for the donation, emphasizing the equipment’s significant benefits to hundreds of patients in areas such as ICU care, Echocardiography, anesthesia, and renal services.