By Austin Ogwuda
….. as Police deny any investigation into the case because it wasn’t formally reported
THE Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Asaba Specialist Hospital, in Delta State, Nigeria, Dr Peace Ighosewe, although has agreed that a case of missing equipment was established but blamed the Media hype to the what she described as “the handiwork of those threatened by the achievements recorded in the hospital”.
The CND while fielding questions with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the controversy surrounding the alleged theft, on Sunday was quoted saying that “Most of the things we see on Social Media, nobody is taking responsibility for them; nobody has come out to take responsibility.
“What I can say is that there was a laparoscopic machine that got missing some time three years ago. The machine was locked up in the custody of someone who headed the Theatre along with other obsolete and condemned equipment.
“Because the items stored there were not in use, the room was not opened for more than three months until I decided to fix it.
It was when we brought someone that will fix it that we discovered that it was no longer there; that is the only machine I know that is missing”.
… blames it on act of sabotage from Staff
She further explained that her five years of running the hospital has given her the opportunity to meet different people, especially some staff members who will always not want things to go well.
“We have done a lot to build that hospital to the standard where it is presently; the State government has been very supportive which we appreciate a lot.
“Even in the midst of achievements, there are challenges; but if anybody has any allegation against me, let the person come out and report to the Commissioner for Health or the appropriate authority.
“It is wrong going faceless on Social Media to malign the reputation of an individual who has put in everything to put that hospital where it is today, though not by my power, but God has helped me.
“The hospital”, she went on, “was nine months when I took over as CMD; it was best described as a General Hospital then; and now it is a Teaching Hospital; this happened in five years and we are still working.
“Like I said, the only machine I know that is missing is the laparoscopic machine and when it got missing, we reported to the police and to the then Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye.
“The matter was investigated and communicated to the authorities and we were instructed to let the matter go; the report is in the police station for whoever wants to see it; we don’t have anything to hide”, Ighosewe stated
Police claim ignorance
Probing further, the NAN Correspondent said when the Delta State Police Command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe was contacted, he (Edafe) said, “The story was a fabricated one and if the allegation was real, it would have been reported and state government would have complained.
“I don’t know who is on the Internet crying more than the bereaved. If we want to investigate based on what we see on the Internet, we will not have time to do the proper security work.
“If anyone knows anything, let the person write a complaint and submit at the headquarters, that is the way to bring a matter to the police.
“There is no complaint from anybody and we will not go about looking for those complaining on the Internet. So, we (Police) are not investigating Ighosewe or any missing medical machine in the hospital”, said the Police image maker.
…. Health Commissioner washes off hands too
The Townhall had earlier reported that the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme has since washed off his hands from the matter.
According to him while responding to The Guardian in Asaba last week on the outcome of the investigation, he said, “I know nothing about it. It happened in 2022 and I assumed office in August 2023.
“Moreover, the Police are already investigating it. How can they accuse me of something I know nothing about?” he queried.
