By Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital (UCH), Ibada, Prof Abiodun Otegbayo, has revealed how the Ibadan explosion affected some structures at the premises of the teaching hospital on Tuesday night.
He spoke after impact assessment tour of the hospital at Oritamefa on Wednesday, which is less than two kilometres to the scene of the explosion at Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan.
Otegbayo, who spoke through the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, ‘Funmi Adetuyibi, said a total of 11 victims of the explosion were brought to the facility on Tuesday night alive, while tne 12th victim was brought in dead, and was transferred to the mortuary. He added that out of the 11 victims brought to the hospital live, five among them have been discharged after treatment. He added that the rest six victims that were still on admission were in stable condition.
He also gave details of how the impact of the explosion affected the hospital, saying UCH is at alert to provide healthcare support for victims of the explosion.
According tonhim, the hospital had a lot of its facilities damaged by the effects of the blast, including Medical Museum, School of Nursing, Molecular Laboratory, Bulk Store, Ogunlesi Hall, and Hospital Clinics.
The statement read in part: “On behalf of the management, Staff, Students, and our teeming Patients, the Hospital is appealing to well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to come to her aid to be able to sustain and upscale healthcare delivery at this time and beyond.
“In the aftermath of a devastating explosion that rocked Ibadan and its environs around 7.44 pm yesterday (Tuesday), 16th January, 2024, the University College Hospital (UCH) has mobilized its resources to meet the urgent healthcare needs of the victims of the unfortunate incident.
“The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo has directed that UCH being the largest health care provider in Ibadan be on alert following the influx of patients, which necessitated a galvanized and coordination of its personnel (Medical Doctors, Nurses, Laboratory Scientists, Student Doctors, Student Nurses, Clinical and Non-Clinical staff) to meet the emergencies arising therefrom. L”
The statement said further that Otegbayo has activated a trauma response team that would implement comprehensive measures to ensure that every patient receives prompt and compassionate care.
Medical staff, including trauma surgeons, emergency room physicians, nurses, and other personnel, have been working around the clock to stabilize and treat the injured.
As part of its commitment to transparency, the University College Hospital is continuously communicating with relevant authorities and providing regular updates to the public. The Hospital remains focused on delivering high-quality medical care to those affected by this tragic event.
“IT is important to state that all the victims brought into the Hospital are 12 (11 brought in alive and except one that was brought in dead).”