From EMMA OBI, Calabar
The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), has denied allegations that armed robbers stormed the hospital and stole three newly born babies including property belonging to patients.
The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Thomas Agan made this denial Tuesday in Calabar while briefing journalists.
The media (not NATIONAL ACCORD) had reported that armed robbers stormed the hospital’s pediatric department Sunday night and carted away property including babies.
” I had a disturbing call from somewhere that there are some publications in the Punch newspaper, Daily Trust including online medium.
“The story is that there was an armed robbery attack in this hospital where valuables including three new born were carted away. I felt highly disturbed.
“I want to tell the world and indeed, everybody who is worth his profession that this is a blatant lie aimed at disparaging this hospital and indeed, the management of the hospital.
“The truth is that it has never happen, it did not happen and it will not happen.
The CMD said that he agreed that there are security challenges nationwide but nothing of such happen in the teaching hospital.
That somebody left some valuables and was taken; it does not mean that there was armed robbery attack.
“When I was called upon, I put a call to the Head of Department, of pediatric to tell me whether this thing happens, whether I was dreaming or what?
When asked if a thing like that has ever happen in the hospital, Agan said “It has never happen.
“You have to tell the world because this type of journalism is not only inimical to the hospital, but to the entire country. We should not do this kind of a thing.
“I have been so sad since I woke up from sleep this morning. I don’t know the source where these persons got this information.
“Again I will tell you that that report is a total false. Because If you talk of security, the department of state security service patrols here on regular basis.
He said that even though the security situation in the hospital might not have been up to expectation, no incidence of baby theft occurred in the hospital.
The chief medical director stressed that though there have been one or two incidences of hoodlums who may have made one or two attempts to steal in the hospital adding that each time such an attempt is made, the hospital security had in one or two occasions caught the hoodlums and handed over to the police.
“As far as this story is concerned it is very very disheartening. Agan queried.
Speaking also on the issue, Head of Pediatric Department, Dr. Eyong Komomo who also refuted that allegation said it was wrong for any individual to publish fake news just to drag the image of the hospital to the mud stressing that the report was based on false.