Group seek justice for Mrs. Lydia Idowu, urge N’Assembly to investigate death at UCH
By Samuel Ogunsona
A devastating incident has raised widespread outrage in Nigeria, as Mrs. Lydia Idowu Adedipe died in pain at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, due to alleged unprofessional medical attention.
The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) has condemned the incident, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to family sources, Mrs. Adedipe died on Wednesday, March 28, after medical workers at UCH failed to provide necessary medical care to prolong her life.
Despite paying millions of naira, she was kept in a filthy ward and subjected to treatments that fell short of dignity.
“We call on the National Assembly to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Adedipe. Families and relatives watched her die while the staff did not show any empathy, undermining the core principles of medical ethics.
“Her death could have been avoided if the right thing was done,” said Olubodun Alao, an official of NHRC.
The NHRC noted that UCH, once a premier medical institution, has fallen below global standards.
“Today’s UCH lacks water, light, and lift, with a highly unhygienic environment where patients are at risk of communicable diseases. The medical workers are not just inhuman but callous. UCH has become a hone of death instead of life.”
The group attributed the high mortality rate at UCH to the loss of humanity in the medical staff, poor management of resources, and inadequate facilities.
“We call for a complete overhaul of the UCH. The National Assembly needs to do something before it is too late. The medical workers are enemies of the patients they are expected to protect.
“The facilities are poor and ill-maintained. Officials seem to be only after money and do not care about human lives,” NHRC stated.
As the National Assembly considers the call for investigation, the family of Mrs. Adedipe and many others await justice and answers.
