By Kemi Olatunde

The University of Medical Science (UNIMED) Teaching Hospital, Akure, has dismissed allegations by the Ondo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) regarding the sale of coffins within the hospital premises.

The NUJ Ondo State Council, during its monthly congress on Thursday, expressed deep concern over the indiscriminate sale of coffins on the premises of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Teaching Hospital, Ondo, and called for its immediate relocation.

The union, in a communique issued after its congress, described the sight of caskets being openly displayed near the hospital’s Out-Patient Department (OPD) and Emergency Unit as highly inappropriate, saying it poses a psychological burden on patients and their relatives.

According to the NUJ, the presence of the coffin shop at such a sensitive location could exacerbate fear and anxiety among patients struggling with their health, thereby worsening their condition.

In a statement issued by the hospital management, titled “Rebuttal: False Allegation Against UNIMED Teaching Hospital Akure on Coffin Sales” and made available to The Hope, the claim was categorically refuted.

The statement read: “The attention of the management of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital/Specialist Hospital (UNIMEDTH/SH), Akure, has been drawn to a communiqué issued by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State chapter, following its monthly congress. In the communiqué, the NUJ alleged that the management of UNIMEDTH permitted the sale of caskets within the hospital’s premises.

“The management strongly refutes this baseless and misleading claim. There is no sale of caskets within the hospital premises, particularly near the Outpatient Department (OPD) or Emergency Unit. This allegation is not only false but also a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the facts.

“For clarity, the UNIMEDTH management had approved a significant improvement within the mortuary with the construction of a casket room. This facility is meant for families who have bodies to collect from the mortuary, allowing them to keep caskets pending the collection of their deceased loved ones. It is important to note that the mortuary operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with UNIMEDTH. Since adopting this model, mortuary services have greatly improved compared to previous years.

“In recent times, the mortuary management has enhanced professional services, constructed a befitting visitors’ stand, and significantly improved the aesthetics of the environment. Additionally, the facility boasts operational cooling fridge chambers, the only ones in Akure metropolis, with standby generating sets, ensuring uninterrupted service in a well-maintained environment.

“Furthermore, the mortuary building is a separate entity, fenced and distinct from the main hospital structure, reinforcing its operational independence.

“It is pertinent to stress that the mortuary is solely focused on providing professional mortuary services. The claim that caskets are being sold on the premises is entirely false and should be disregarded. On rare occasions, customers bring in coffins from outside a few days before collecting the corpse for burial.

“The management remains committed to upholding a dignified and professional healthcare environment, ensuring that patients and visitors receive the best possible care without undue distractions.

“We urge the public to disregard this falsehood and refrain from spreading misinformation. UNIMEDTH remains dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in medical practice and service delivery.”