Daud Olatunji
Provost and Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr. Paul Agboola, has refuted some media reports (NOT PLATFORM TIMES) that patients bit staff and stated protests last week.
Addressing newsmen on the development, Agboola clarified that contrary to some reports, neither hospital staff nor were three nurses were bitten and attacked.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that there were protests at both the main hospital and Lantoro annex of the hospital where some nurses and doctors were assaulted by the patients.
While clarifying the issue, Agboola said the incident, which occurred in one ward out of the hospital’s 18 wards at both the main site and Lantoro annex, did not involve any protest or demonstration by patients.
He noted that the police were involved solely to investigate the incident and obtain statements from the assaulted doctors.
“The clinical and environmental factors leading to the incident are being thoroughly investigated by the hospital,” Agboola stated.
He confirmed that the assault has been reported to law enforcement in line with the National Health Act (2014) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), with investigations currently ongoing.
Agboola reassured the public of the hospital’s dedication to the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.
“The majority of our patients are peaceful and cooperative,” he said.
“Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to provide the best care and are often the first responders in medical and psychiatric emergencies.”
He highlighted that the hospital’s personnel are frequently called upon by the community for their expertise and intervention.
Addressing several inaccuracies reported by some online news outlets, Agboola urged the media to seek accurate information from reliable sources to prevent the spread of sensational and misleading reports.
The probost spoke on the ongoing challenges, particularly the need for a constant 24-hour power supply.
He said the hospital spends a significant portion of its budget on diesel for generators, which he said diverts funds from other critical areas.
He added that despite these financial constraints, the hospital has implemented initiatives to increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with federal support.
These initiatives ensure the hospital can meet its substantial expenditure, providing free feeding, medication, and accommodation for patients in the Rehabilitation wards at Lantoro annex.
He however, said economic realities have necessitated slight increases in hospital fees, now partially borne by patients’ relatives.
Agboola expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its proposed intervention through the Sustainable Development Goals office.
He said the initiative aims to address power supply issues by donating solar-powered electrical systems to federal hospitals.
Agboola reaffirmed the Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro’s commitment to providing high-quality mental health services, training, and research.
He emphasized the importance of community participation and international collaboration in fulfilling the hospital’s mission.
“Our patients and their families are vital stakeholders in this mission,” he said.
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