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The Ondo State government has pledged to look into the public display and sale of coffins at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Akure.
Simidele Odimayo, Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health Matters, confirmed this to journalists on Sunday, stating that the government is aware of the situation and has taken necessary steps to address it.
He emphasized that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the facts and ensure that such occurrences do not disrupt hospital operations.
The controversy arose after the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ondo State condemned the presence of caskets at the hospital, expressing concerns about its psychological impact on patients.
In a communiqué issued on Friday, the union described the practice as inappropriate and called for its immediate relocation.
Additionally, the journalists urged the state government to declare a state of emergency in government-owned hospitals to address broader healthcare challenges.
Responding to these concerns, Odimayo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services, assuring that appropriate actions would be taken once the investigation is concluded.
He also highlighted the state government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade healthcare facilities, noting that several new buildings and structures at UNIMEDTH are near completion.
These developments, he said, aim to tackle space constraints and congestion at the hospital.
“The new building is about 95 percent complete, and more projects are underway within the hospital,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to providing quality healthcare for residents.
In support of these efforts, Acting Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Adesina Akintan, assured that the hospital is expanding to accommodate the growing number of patients.
He noted that congestion would soon be alleviated as new extensions are completed, allowing medical personnel to serve patients more efficiently.