Oyo NUJ Reacts As UCH CMD, Three Top Officials Test Positive For COVID-19

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State council, on Sunday, called on the Federal Government to support the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan by supplying it with enough funds and equipments to combat Coronavirus.

The call was contained in a statement signed by the state NUJ Chairman, Mr Ademola Babalola and Secretary, Mr Sola Oladapo.

The union expressed displeasure at the recent development at the foremost teaching hospital in Nigeria, with four confirmed cases of COVID-19 from members of its board and management.

Reports have it that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the institution, Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo, had, through his twitter handle, disclosed that he tested positive for Coronavirus and explained how he contracted the virus.

It would be recalled that the hospital management equally confirmed that the Provost, College of Medicine and his deputy tested positive, while one other person was said to have also contracted the disease.

Otegbayo had, in a statement personally signed by him on Sunday, said that a 12-man quarterly meeting of the health institution’s board had commenced on March 23, adding, that social distancing and other precautionary measures for COVID-19 were observed.

NUJ, however, expressed concern on why the meeting had to hold despite the ongoing efforts to control the spread of the virus in the state, while they further questioned the health status of all other attendee.

According to the union, 

“the CMD, despite his knowledge of his exposure to a suspected case, still went ahead granting interviews to journalists without warning them of his vulnerability. The union viewed this act as avoidable.”

“The reason to call for better funding of UCH stems from the recent statement by the CMD, soliciting for funds from well meaning Nigerians to help the institution with consumables and other medical necessities to fight the virus.

“The Federal Government must act fast before things get out of control

  It would be recalled that Nigeria has recorded 111 positive cases in the country, out of which 7 was confirmed in Oyo state.