We didn’t deny late student adequate medical attention – BIU

Justin

The Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, has dismissed allegations by the family of the late Justin Ukwu, a student of the Department of International Studies and Diplomacy, who died on May 26, 2015, that it denied the deceased access to adequate medical attention prior to his demise.

The late student had died as a result of an undisclosed ailment at Faith Mediplex, a private hospital in Benin, a situation which sparked a demonstration by students of the university.

The students had described the response of the university clinic, Marina Medical Services, to their late colleague’s health condition as slow.

The mother of the late student, Mrs. Margaret Ukwu, had also in a media report, on July 25, 2015, accused the university of being responsible for the death of his son, alleging that “it (the university) did everything to ensure that my son didn’t survive.”

Mrs. Ukwu had accused the institution of not referring his late son to a specialist hospital within a 24-hour time frame and carrying out a blood transfusion, which according to her, was justified by an autopsy report.

She had also alleged that the university had not been “cooperative at all, having refused to release requested documents, which would assist us in deciding our next line of action.

“I believe that he (late Justin) wasn’t treated at all. No care, attention or diagnosis was carried out. It was a flagrant violation of the regulations governing the activities of National Health Insurance Scheme accredited by both Benson Idahosa University and the HMO (Hospital Management Organisation), Marina Medical Services.

“First of all, he wasn’t referred to a specialist clinic within the 24-hour time frame when a patient should be moved from a primary health care provider to a specialist centre,” she had said.

But the university, in statement signed by its Head of Legal Unit, Miss L.O. Ajayi, and made available to our correspondent on Friday, described the claims by the aggrieved mother as “most certainly untrue.”

The university explained that there were various inaccuracies and premature conclusions in her (deceased’s mother) rendition of the facts concerning the nature of the university’s contractual relationship with Marina Medical Services, Limited (HMO), Justin’s treatment at the University Clinic by Marina and his subsequent transfer to Faith Mediplex Hospital on the fateful day.

It said, “With utmost respect, to allege that the university ‘did everything to ensure that my son didn’t survive’ is most certainly untrue. Such an allegation flies in the face of everything that Benson Idahosa University stands for, as the life of each and every one of our students is extremely valuable and remains our foremost priority.

“The fact remains, as Mrs. Ukwu herself concedes, that she was immediately informed of her son’s admission to the university clinic and was similarly informed of the need for his transfer to Faith Mediplex.

“It is untrue that she was kept in the dark. In addition, to the best of our ability, Mrs. Ukwu was provided with maximum support by the university from the time she arrived at Faith Mediplex until the time of her departure.

“Contrary to the allegations in the 25th July, 2015 publication, the university has forwarded Justin’s requested academic records to Mrs. Ukwu. Because the university does not maintain possession of a certified copy of Justin’s medical records, Mrs. Ukwu was timely and respectfully referred to Marina, which we understand is agreeable to providing a certified copy of the records to her. The allegation that the university has not been cooperative is therefore inaccurate.”

The university, however, said that while it had provided the family with “immense emotional and spiritual support, regular contact had been maintained since the demise of their son,” adding that investigation on the matter was still ongoing.

“We take this loss to heart and, as we have informed Mrs. Ukwu, we are conducting a thorough investigation to ensure that the facts surrounding this unfortunate set of events are brought to light and to ensure that it never reoccurs,” the statement added.