People demand mortuary officials to release the corpse of alleged Lassa victim, stage protest

– There was a protest staged in front of the University College Hospital mortuary, Ibadan, today, January 28.

– The protesters were dissatidfied with the mortuary officials delaying the release of the corpse of Olawale Gbolagade Akinsaya.

– Mr Akinsaya allegedly died of Lassa fever.

The onlookers gathered in front of the University College Hospital mortuary located in the city of Ibadan, Oyo state, when the people, who, judging by their clothes, were perceived as sportsmen blocked the road, whistling and brandishing flags and red cards, around 11 am today.

In the words of the protesters, they were showing discontent with the delay of the release of the corpse of a certain Olawale Gbolagade Akinsaya, who suddenly died on Thursday, January 21, 2016. Though the funeral was arranged for 10 am, the attempts to reach the hospital officials for the explanation of the delay proved abortive.

Reportedly, one of the eyewitnesses claimed it was suspected that Mr Akinsaya had died of Lassa fever, so the doctors decided to carry out an autopsy which allegedly caused the delay.

However, one of the protesters, Olalekan Ismail, a graduate from Ladoke Akintola Universiy of Technology and a member of the Nigeria Referees Association, claimed the mortuary officials were trying to make a fool of them as they had observed all the precautions required while transporting a corpse-carrier of Lassa fever. He said: “We were called yesterday to make certain arrangements, including the provisions for an ambulance with special protection precautions, according to the World Health Organization guidelines on Lassa fever, which we did. Now they are saying they cannot fumigate the ambulance as this may destroy it, while the family has been on ground very early.” 

The late Olawale Gbolagade Akinsaya was described as an active and dedicated leader, who was loved by all and everyone.

There have been ever-rising concerns over the Lassa fever outbreak in some Nigerian states in the begining of January, later spreading all over the country. On January 15 the Federal Ministry of Health announced it would properly equip 10, 000 hospitals to help to battle the desease. However, up till now Lassa fever has been further expanding as the sporadic deaths are reported across Nigeria almost every day.

Naij.com readers! Take care of yourself and your families. Observe the rules aimed at preventing Lassa fever, worked out by the World Health Organisation.

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