The Chief Medical Director, Asaba Specialist Hospital, Delta State, Dr Peace Ighosewe, has said she knew nothing about the missing N100 million Laboratory machine at the hospital while challenging accusers to stop being faceless.
Ighosewe disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday.
The CMD added that the hospital has been upgraded to a teaching hospital barely six years after its establishment.
She said, “I have worked hard and put my best into this hospital, and today, the hospital has been upgraded to a teaching hospital, so for someone to accuse me of a missing machine is unfair.
“As I speak to you now, I have bought several machines, including a mammogram machine, a well-equipped laboratory, state-of-the-art equipment and several others, through our internally generated revenue (IGR). I don’t know why they are accusing me of stealing a Laparoscopy machine, which never worked. I felt it was time for me to respond to these allegations made around social media.
“The rumors that I was involved in the alleged disappearance of the machine from the hospital occurred sometime between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. The Laparoscopy machine never worked when I took over as MD nine months after the establishment of the hospital; several efforts I made to bring in engineers to fix the equipment never yielded any positive results. I brought several engineers from different places, but it never worked. Eventually, it was in the theatre and packed in a room that was not often in use.”
She maintained that when she later brought another engineer to try to repair the machine, it was discovered missing, noting that they looked for it in the theatre and everywhere but could not find it.
“As civil servants, the proper thing was to inform the Ministry of Health and the police, which we did, and the police concluded their investigation and gave their report.
“Three persons were said to be prosecuted over the missing machine, but the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Onoye, said the matter should laid to rest because the evidence was not substantial enough to prosecute them.
“After that, there has been no other machine missing in the hospital. I have been hearing that the laboratory machine was missing and that l used my in-law to steal the machine. I really wish that people making these accusations would come forth and say these are the equipment; don’t be faceless.
“I am actually interested; there is no sacred cow, whether you are my relation or not; if you are guilty, you will pay the price. The police never mentioned my name as being involved in any way,” she added.
Ighosewe challenged those accusing her of complicity in the missing Laparoscopy to present their evidence and not remain faceless.
The PUNCH last week reports the alleged missing laboratory machine following an alarm raised by hospital workers in the state.
This led the operatives from Delta State Police Command to commence an investigation into the allegation.
