Patients at Specialist Hospital Asaba (ASH) are facing alarming setbacks as a crucial laparoscopic machine has mysteriously gone missing, forcing them into riskier, outdated surgical procedures.
Laparoscopic is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine and operate on the organs inside the abdomen or pelvis. It’s also known as keyhole surgery because it requires only small incisions.
The absence of this vital equipment, essential for minimally invasive surgeries, raises serious questions about accountability, mismanagement, and the hospital’s commitment to patient care and safety.
With no clear explanation from hospital authorities, frustrated patients and concerned medical professionals are demanding urgent answers: Where is the missing machine, and who is responsible for this glaring failure?
With the missing machine, patients in need of minimally invasive surgeries at Specialist Hospital Asaba, are facing dire consequences due to the hospital’s failure to provide a functional laparoscopic machine.
The missing equipment, essential for safer and more efficient procedures, raises serious concerns about mismanagement and the hospital’s commitment to quality healthcare.
Sources within the hospital report that patients are either forced to undergo riskier open surgeries or seek expensive alternatives at private facilities.
Following the disappearance of the equipment, tension is mounting as concerned citizens demand accountability over the alleged disappearance of the state-of-the-art laparoscopic machine, valued at N100 million, from the Specialist Hospital Asaba.
It was learned that not only has the vital medical equipment vanished, but other hospital facilities have also reportedly gone missing, raising alarming questions about corruption and mismanagement at the state-run hospital.
Shockingly, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme and the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Peace Ighosewe, are alleged to be covering up the scandal, with insiders accusing them of blocking investigations that have dragged on for over two years.
“This hospital and its equipment are not the personal property of the governor or any government official.
“Transparency and accountability must prevail,” an anonymous source said.
“It is disgraceful that taxpayer-funded medical equipment can just disappear, while those responsible evade scrutiny.”
Frustration is boiling over as Delta residents berate the state government for its failure to take decisive action.
Critics argue that by stalling investigations, those in power are enabling the continued mismanagement of public health resources.
However, Dr. Onojaeme has distanced himself from the scandal, stating, “I know nothing about it. It happened in 2022, and I assumed office in August 2023.
“The police are already investigating it, so how can they accuse me of something I wasn’t involved in?”
Despite his claims, public outrage continues to grow, with many demanding that both the Commissioner and the hospital’s leadership provide immediate answers and ensure the return of the missing equipment.
As calls for justice intensify, will the Delta State government finally take action, or will this glaring case of medical negligence be buried like so many before it?
Investigations confirmed that Mr. Ferguson Onwo, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), has summoned the hospital’s management for questioning.
Attempts to obtain comments from the DTHA Health Committee Chairman were unsuccessful as of press time.
Likewise, a text message sent to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Edafe Bright, went unanswered.
