Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe (middle) flanked by Management Staff of the institution during the press briefing, Friday
‘No Covid-19 wave in our institution’ – Michael Okpara varsity, says two students died from unrelated causes
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Authorities of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) have deplored social media reports claiming that COVID-19 pandemic was spreading in the institution and was killing students.
The reports followed the death of two students of the university within an interval of 24 hours.
Putting the record straight, the MOUAU’s Public Relations Officer, Adanma Odefa, in a statement entitled “False Reports of Pandemic At Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike; The Facts,” which was made available to the Oracle Today, on Saturday, explained that the two students of the University died recently from completely unrelated causes.
“The first student, a female student whose identity we will not disclose out of respect for her family, was a new intake. Unfortunately, she had procured an abortion from a quack, resulting in fatal complications. She visited the University Health Services Department (Clinic) and although she was unregistered, she was attended to immediately and doctors discovered she had a botched abortion that had become septic. She was promptly referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia (a full-fledged hospital equipped to deal with severe cases), where she died.
“The second unfortunate death was of a student who collapsed on the walkway and was rushed to the University clinic. Although he was also unregistered, doctors and nurses wasted no second to battle to save his life. When he was brought in, he had no pulse and his vital signs were failing. He was promptly loaded into the University’s ambulance and rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, where he was declared dead, Odefa stated.
Odefa absolved the University of any wrongdoings in either of the cases as she said that the institution’s clinic treats all students in an emergency, irrespective of registration status.
“Let us once again reiterate that it is compulsory under our rules and regulations for all students to be registered with the University Health Services Department. It is also pertinent for students to avail themselves of the services of the clinic at the earliest signs of ill health.
“We have provided a well-maintained and well-staffed clinic with a standby functional ambulance to serve our University Community. Members of the University Community are strongly urged to take full advantage of these facilities,” the MOUAU PRO added.
Denying reports that any sort of pandemic was ravaging the university community and killing students, Odefa said: “The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, and the Management are appalled at recent attempts to spread panic within the University community with false reports of an imaginary pandemic killing students.
“I categorically state that there is no pandemic in our University and no other student aside from the two aforementioned, unfortunate incidents died in the University,” adding that “the Management was deeply saddened by the loss of these young lives and heartily condole with their families.”
She advised media practitioners to verify the veracity of stories they publish and lend credence to.
