IRRUA SPECIALIST HOSPITAL DEBUNKS MEDIA REPORT ALLEGING COMMISIONING OF UNCOMPLETED HOSPITAL PROJECTS

 

Irrua Specialist Hospital Gate, Irrua, Edo State.

The Management of Irrua Specialist Hospital and the two contractors handling the construction of Children/Emergency Isolation Ward and the construction and furnishing of Anatomic Pathology buildings projects have jointly debunked Arise Television’s claims that the projects have been in an uncompleted state.

Arise Television, a Lagos based television station, had on August 1st, 2023 aired what the management of the hospital had considered to be malicious and libelous news. In the report, the news channel had claimed that the two uncompleted projects were commissioned by the former Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and the hospital management without showing video clips of the commissioning ceremony.

The hospital management in a letter addressed to Arise Television station, dated 2nd of August which was made available to journalists in Benin City, the Ed State capital, indicted Arise Television station for "throwing the ethos of magisterial journalism profession to the dogs". 

"It has come to the notice of the Management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, that the Management of ARISE TELEVISION aired a news item on 1st August, 2023 alleging that “the former Minister of Health, former Board Chairman of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, and former Chief Medical Director of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, commissioned projects which were uncompleted, i.e. the construction of Children/Emergency Isolation Ward and the construction and furnishing of Anatomic Pathology buildings (both are ongoing Projects) in the Hospital.

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"This information was said to have been gotten from an inside source by Arise Television’s presentation.

"It is, however disheartening to note that the Arise TV reporter did not do a proper investigation before airing such sensitive and damaging news about our institution.

"This could be said to be an outcome of mischief makers to tarnish the image of the Hospital and those concerned.

"It is therefore needful to clarify facts as follows: that the Hospital Management in 2022 awarded the projects for the Construction of Children   Emergency/Isolation Ward to the Firm of Progressive Educational Services Nigeria Limited and the Construction and Furnishing of Anatomic Pathology to the Firm Hassino Group/Global LTD.

"The said two above named projects are currently ongoing and both to beat estimated 60% completion stage,” the statement said.

The two contractors handling the Anatomic and Pathology, Mr. Ibhadode King and Prince Odianosen Okojie who are handling the Children Emergency Isolation buildings denied knowledge of commissioning of their uncompleted projects respectively.

According to them, "Arise Television’s news allegation of commissioning of the Anatomic and Pathology building, which we are handling, is a joke of the century because there no truth in the news. How is it possible for project of this magnitude to be commissioned by the Minister of Health and the hospital management without my consent as the contractor handling the project?” Mr. Ibhadode King retorted.

On the other hand, Prince Odianosen Okojie lampooned Arise Television news report as a hatchet job by pessimists “who are uncomfortable with the enviable strides made by the hospital management in recent times.”

"I'm not surprised that we are having this kindly of fake news emanating from a reputable news medium like Arise Television station without proper investigation. It shows the level of desperation of the enemies of the Hospital who are intent on tarnishing the image of the management and the former Minister of Health for their unequalled record and stewardship", Mr. Okojie said.