The University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Akure, has strongly refuted allegations of negligence in the tragic deaths of four children from the Adeola family, following a report by an online newspaper (Starnews NG).
The hospital, in a statement issued by its Information and Public Relations Officer, Roseline Akeredolu, emphasized that all necessary medical interventions were carried out swiftly and professionally in the treatment of the children.
The children were brought to the hospital’s Children’s Emergency Unit on September 29, 2024, after being referred from Mother & Child Hospital, Akure.
According to the hospital, the children showed symptoms believed to be caused by the ingestion of pap containing an “unknown poison”. Their grandmother had also passed away days earlier after consuming the same meal.
“Upon their arrival, they were immediately received and attended to by our medical team, which included consultants alerted by the referring hospital,” the statement read.
“Urgent resuscitation and critical care measures were initiated, and all necessary medical interventions—including resuscitation, toxicology testing, and hourly monitoring—were implemented in line with global best practices.”
Despite the efforts, the hospital disclosed that the children could not be saved.
However, UNIMEDTH firmly rejected any claims of professional negligence, noting that its healthcare professionals worked tirelessly to save the children.
The hospital further revealed that investigations, including blood tests and toxicology screenings, were conducted in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Health, with toxicology results still pending.
The hospital expressed sympathy for the Adeola family but urged the public and media to rely on verified information and refrain from spreading unverified claims that could compound the family’s grief or tarnish the hospital’s reputation.
“Our commitment to providin the highest standard of medical care remains steadfast and unwavering,” the statement concluded.
