The Ondo State Government has launched an investigation into the public sale and display of coffins at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Akure, following widespread criticism from the public and media.
The development sparked outrage among patients and residents, with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Chapter, condemning the presence of casket vendors within the hospital premises. The union described it as psychologically distressing for sick patients and called for the immediate removal of the caskets.
Speaking on the issue, Simidele Odimayo, Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health Matters, assured that the government was taking the concerns seriously.
“We have been informed about the open sale of caskets in the hospital and have responded appropriately. We will continue our investigation to ensure nothing inappropriate happens within the hospital system,” he stated.
Odimayo also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare services, noting that new hospital buildings are nearly completed to address space shortages and congestion at UNIMEDTH.
Meanwhile, Adesina Akintan, Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), acknowledged the overwhelming number of patients at the facility but assured that ongoing hospital expansion projects would help improve service delivery.
As the government moves to address the issue, concerned residents and stakeholders await swift action to ensure that hospitals remain centers for healing, not reminders of mortality.
