IMSUTH Radiology Block Safe, Intact – Management …says fire burnt few equipment at the ICT unit

By Anyi Lemchi

The Management of Imo State University Teaching Hospital, IMSUTH Orlu has called on the general public to disregard the report on  fire incident that took place at Hospital premises on Monday, 5th February as it is not the actual reflection of the fire incident.

IMSUTH Management in a press release signed by Mrs. Judith Richards – Chukwunyere, Public Relations Officer,  titled, “IMO STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL FIRE INCIDENT: THE TRUE STORY ” which was made available to Journalists, described the Newspaper report as misleading , malicious and calculated attempt to misinform the general Public.

The Management maintained that the unfortunate fire outbreak which was caused by activities of Indian Hemp smokers at buses around the Hospital,

did not affect Radiology Block of the hospital as every equipment in the Radiology block are safe and intact.

The Management which accused the Newspaper of improper investigation before publication, however pointed out that the fire incident  actually burnt few equipment at the ICT Unit, mostly desktops, adding that IMSUTH Security Guards were able to recover most of office equipment in this Unit.

The press release reads, “It has come to the notice of the management of Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu,  of a scandalous and malicious article on the recent fire incident within the premises of the institution on Monday February 5, 2024.”

 “The jaundiced piece was hurriedly put together to misinform the reading public. A cursory look at the write up shows that the writer’s ulterior motive was to drag to mud the goodwill enjoyed by staff and management of the institution.”

“As a reputable government owned institution, we do not join issues with naysayers. We wouldn’t have penned this refutal if not that verifiable facts behind the unfortunate incident were distorted.”

 “The very essence of this press release is to disclaim the earlier article authored by a busy-body who is neither a staff of any government owned institution nor that of Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu.”

” With sincerity of purpose and total commitment to ethics of public service, we wish to state as follows;

“1. That the unfortunate fire outbreak which occurred on Monday, February 5, 2024 did not affect the Radiology Block of the hospital as every equipment  are safe and intact.”

“2. That the fire outbreak which affected only the ICT unit would have caused more havoc if not for the timely intervention of security guards on duty and staff living within the community where the hospital is situated who defiled Monday sit-at-home.”

“3.That the fire actually burnt few equipment at the ICT Unit, mostly desktops.  The institutions security guards were able to recover most of the office equipment in this Unit.”

“4. That due to volatile nature of Orlu and its environs, staff of the institution living outside Orlu LGA, out of fear of being maimed do not venture to access the hospital on Mondays because of sit-at-homes.”

“5. That the Chief Medical Director, Dr Ifeanyi Nwamba called the Traditional Ruler of Umuna and the Coordinator of Imo State security outfit in Orlu for assistance with their subjects.”

“6. That it was also the Chief Medical Director that ordered the Head of Works department to get water tankers that were used to quench the fire outbreak”

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“7. That investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the fire outbreak is still ongoing but pointers are towards Indian Hemp smokers in the bushes .  In view of this, we most humbly appeal to leaders of communities surrounding the hospital,  to gear up security in their communities to forestall future  occurrence.”

“We therefore urge the general public to disregard the earlier article on this ugly incidence at Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH, Orlu) authored by a hireling which was mischievous and aimed at misinforming his reading public.”