The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Joint Campus Council, has threatened to stage a massive protest over the death of a student at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
This is as the student body issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the hospital management to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Faruq Olabode, NANS Ogun said its attention was drawn to a “deeply disturbing incident at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, where an asthmatic student of the institution allegedly lost his life amid reports of inadequate medical facilities and equipment, as well as serious concerns about the competence of the medical personnel who attended to him.”
Describing the development as alarming, NANS Ogun said it “raises serious questions about patient safety, emergency medical response, and the standard of healthcare delivery at a prominent federal health institution in Ogun State.”
It declared, “Consequently, NANS Ogun JCC hereby gives the management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, 24 hours to publicly explain the circumstances surrounding the death of the student and clarify the medical attention he received before his demise.
“We consider this a matter of urgent public concern that must not be treated with indifference or swept under the carpet.”
The association called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), relevant security agencies and medical regulatory authorities to investigate the incident.
“We therefore call on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), relevant security agencies, and appropriate medical regulatory authorities to immediately investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law,” Olabode said.
NANS Ogun also demanded an independent autopsy, while calling on the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, to intervene.
“Furthermore, we demand an independent autopsy review to establish the medical cause of death and determine whether any act of negligence or failure in medical care contributed to this tragic incident,” it said, insisting that “the process must be conducted by qualified professionals, with appropriate consent and in accordance with the law, to ensure transparency and credibility.”
It added, “We also call on the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, to urgently intervene and ensure that the matter receives the attention it deserves.”
NANS warned that failure to comply would lead to mass action.
“Should the hospital management fail to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated 24 hours, NANS Ogun JCC will consider mobilising Nigerian students across the Gateway State for a massive protest at the facility in demand of transparency, accountability, and justice,” it warned.
NANS Ogun further demanded “an urgent assessment of the hospital’s medical facilities, emergency response capacity, and the professional qualifications of personnel responsible for patient care,” adding that “any established deficiencies must be addressed immediately to prevent a recurrence of this tragic incident.”
“Let it be unequivocally stated that the life of a Nigerian student matters, and allegations surrounding the circumstances of his death deserve immediate answers. We will pursue this matter through every appropriate channel until the truth is established and justice is pursued,” Olabode said.
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