The management of Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, has said the fire outbreak at the Radiology Block of the hospital did not destroy any equipment.
The health institution said the fire outbreak, which affected the ICT unit, would have caused more havoc if not for the timely intervention of security guards on duty and staff living within the community where the hospital is situated, who defied the Monday sit-at-home to put off the inferno.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Judith Richards – Chukwunyere in Orlu, Imo State.
The statement reads, “It has come to the notice of the management of Imo State University Teaching Hospital of a scandalous and malicious article on the recent fire incident within the premises of the institution on Monday, February 5, 2024.
“The fire actually burnt a few pieces of equipment at the ICT Unit, mostly desktops. The institution’s security guards were able to recover most of the office equipment in this Unit.
“Due to the volatile nature of Orlu and its environs, staff of the institution living outside Orlu LGA, out of fear of being maimed do not venture to access the hospital on Mondays because of sit-at-home.
“The Chief Medical Director, Dr Ifeanyi Nwamba, called the Igwe of Umuna and the coordinator of Imo State security outfit in Orlu for assistance with their subjects.
“It was also the Chief Medical Director who ordered the Head of the Works department to get water tankers that were used to quench the fire outbreak.
“Investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the fire outbreak is still ongoing but pointers are towards Indian Hemp smokers in the bushes.
“In view of this, we most humbly appeal to leaders of communities surrounding the hospital to gear up security in their communities to forestall future occurrences.”
