The Ondo State government has announced plans to investigate reports of caskets being openly displayed and sold at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Akure.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Simidele Odimayo, made this known while speaking with journalists on Sunday.
He assured that the government is aware of the situation and is taking necessary steps to address it.
He further stated that investigations are ongoing to verify the claims and prevent any developments that could negatively impact hospital operations.
This comes after the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ondo State expressed strong disapproval of the situation, citing concerns over its psychological effect on patients.
In a statement issued on Friday, the union described the sale of coffins within the hospital premises as inappropriate and called for its immediate removal.
The journalists also urged the state government to take urgent action in addressing issues affecting government-owned hospitals.
In response, Odimayo reaffirmed the government’s dedication to strengthening healthcare services, assuring that once investigations are concluded, appropriate measures will be taken.
He also highlighted ongoing upgrades at UNIMEDTH, noting that several new buildings are nearing completion.
According to him, these projects aim to address overcrowding and enhance service delivery.
“Our new building is about 95 percent complete, and more improvements are underway. The government remains committed to delivering quality healthcare,” he stated.
Similarly, Acting Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Adesina Akintan, acknowledged the expansion efforts, assuring that congestion issues will soon be resolved.
He added that as new facilities are completed, medical personnel will be better equipped to serve patients efficiently.
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