By Richard Eweka
The Chief Medical Director of Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr. Anthonia Njoku, has dismissed social media reports claiming that five pupils died during the Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Dr. Njoku made the clarification on Thursday while addressing journalists at the hospital.
According to her, the hospital promptly responded to the emergency after some of the affected children were evacuated from the stadium to the facility for urgent medical attention.
She said, “Yesterday, we received an emergency call and responded swiftly and appropriately to the situation. Some of the children were brought to our facility through our ambulance services.
“Resuscitation measures commenced immediately and, to the glory of God, no casualty was recorded. The children are all stable, and we want to appreciate the governor for his continuous support to the health sector,”
Explaining why some of the children were seen lying on the hospital floor in videos circulated online, the CMD stated that it was part of emergency medical procedures aimed at effective resuscitation.
She explained, "You need hard surfaces for proper resuscitation in some emergency cases. That was why some of the children were placed on the floor. Our priority at that critical moment was to save lives and ensure there was no casualty,”
Dr. Njoku further commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his concern and commitment towards the welfare of children in the state.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, said she visited the hospital on a fact-finding mission following the incident at the Children’s Day celebration.
She said, “I have spoken with the CMD and confirmed that the children are fine and have all been discharged. We are grateful to the management and staff of the hospital for their swift response"
“The governor would have loved to be here personally, but he is away on official engagements. He directed me to visit the hospital and ascertain the situation firsthand,”
She described the incident as unfortunate but praised the quick intervention of emergency responders and medical personnel, stressing that the safety and wellbeing of children remain a top priority of the present administration.
Also present during the visit were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Iyamu, and the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ebomonyi.
