Janet Ogundepo
The immediate Past President of the World Medical Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele, Wednesday, called for sustained support and provision of emergency care for the injured victims of the Ibadan explosion.
PUNCH Healthwise had reported that an explosion rocked Dejo Oyelese Street and other areas in the Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday night.
While the National Emergency Management Agency stated that 20 houses were affected by the explosion, the Oyo State Government stated that 77 people were affected with no less than two casualties.
The explosion affected a section of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, the residence of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, some buildings at Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango and Eleyele.
Reports gathered from the site showed that evacuation of persons trapped in the collapsed buildings was ongoing.
Details of the cause of the explosion are still inconclusive but injured residents were being treated at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and a private hospital close to the explosion site.
Enabulele, a past President of the Nigerian Medical Association, commended the show of concern expressed by the national leadership of the NMA.
He said, “It was with extreme sadness that I received the news of the recent ‘gas’ explosions in Ibadan, around the Bodija area of the city.
“While I share the pains and feelings of families of injured victims, it is imperative that thorough investigations are carried out to unearth the possible cause(s) of the unfortunate incident.
“It is equally important that physicians, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association, show solidarity through the provision of urgently needed emergency care for the injured victims. It is in this light that I commend the leadership of the Oyo State branch of NMA, for urging colleagues around the Bodija axis to make themselves available.
“I also commend the show of concern expressed by the national leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association.”
He further noted that the support of both private and public organisations and individuals was essential at this time.
The globally respected doctor further called for investigations into the explosion and a permanent solution to incidences of gas explosions in the country.
The immediate past president of the Commonwealth Medical Association noted, “Beyond the provision of emergency care, physicians, as critical stakeholders under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association, as well as other stakeholders, need to be involved in the process of investigations, particularly, as it concerns the handling of Health Impact Assessment and other matters, and the implementation of the outcomes/reports. This is one way, amongst others, to avoid a recurrence.
“I wish to extend my deep sympathies and condolences to the families who may have lost loved ones in the explosions/inferno, as well as to the people and Government of Oyo State, and our colleagues under the aegis of Oyo state branch of Nigerian Medical Association.”
He prayed for the recovery of the injured victims and rest for the departed souls.
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