FUOYE denies negligence in student death, affirms 24-hour medical services
The Federal University Oye Ekiti has dismissed reports insinuating a student – Fejiro Sharon Oteri, who died on April 8 -was not attended to at the Health Centre because it was not operating at night as erroneous.
This as the institution sympathised with the parents and relations of the student.
The Chief Medical Director of FUOYE’s Directorate of Health Services, Dr Musibau Olawale, spoke in a statement dated April 10 made available in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
Olawale stated, “Oteri, a student of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, was rushed into the clinic by her colleagues, having reportedly collapsed during their academic activities. She was immediately attended to as an emergency by the doctor on duty, along with other health care workers, who made efforts to resuscitate her.
“The student was actually rushed in with nil respiratory movements/efforts, nil pulse, and nonreactive pupillary reflexes. However, adequate resuscitatory efforts were made, and upon significant progress, the patient was rushed in the university ambulance to one of the tertiary referral centers being used by the university.
“The patient was accompanied by medical personnel in the university ambulance around 11:40am. The Director of Health Services followed the matter, alongside some lecturers from the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, including the HOD, who were also witnesses to the medical efforts instituted.
“The loss was an unfortunate incident as we know the pains of losing a loved one, moreso, in her prime. We sincerely sympathize with the family and loved ones.”
The CMD, who dismissed reports insinuating the student was not attended to at the Health Centre because it was not operating at night as erroneous, stated, “The said incident did not in any way occur at night, as being alleged.
“The deceased student of Plant Science and Biotechnology was brought to the university health centre around 11:30am on April 8, 2025. The student was rushed into the clinic by her colleagues, having reportedly collapsed during their academic activities. Emergency medical services were promptly initiated, including the basic life support system by the doctor and other medical personnel on duty. The students who brought the deceased can attest to this.
“There was a history of convulsion secondary to the fall in the laboratory, where the deceased student collapsed. There were also the histories of second convulsion and incontinence of urine, while being carried to the school clinic. These histories were given by the students who brought her to the clinic.
“The allegation that there’s usually no medical staff on duty at night at the University Clinic is unfounded. The duty rosters of the doctors, nurses, and other health personnel are there for all who care to have a look at them. The records of students who attended during call duties/night shifts are there for all to see. The admission records are there, too. Our Sickle Cell Warriors and asthma patients, and other emergency cases can attest to this.
“It is important to also note that since the employment of doctors in the University Health Centre in 2013, there have been a doctor, a nurse, an ambulance driver, and other health workers on duty. Hence, the allegation of closing the Health Centre by 4pm is rather malicious and unfounded.
“Notably, the university clinic operates 24-hour services, including weekends, and is never closed even when students are not in session because of staff. Also, the centre is equipped with necessary equipment and there is 24/7 electricity from a solar inverter device and a dedicated diesel generator,” Olawale said.
