The Cross River State Government has accused students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) of vandalising facilities at the General Hospital, Calabar, during a protest over the death of their colleagues in a road accident.
The government condemned the act stating that it has commenced an assessment of the damage to the facility, warning that those found culpable would be held accountable for the destruction of public property.
The state Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, who led an on-the-spot assessment of the hospital on Tuesday, described the occurrence as unfortunate, unjustifiable and disregard to government infrastructural provision.
Abuja said that the protest followed a fatal accident along the Calabar–Uyo highway, where some students reportedly died at the scene, adding that the situation was worsened by misinformation.
According to Commissioner, infrastructures including an ambulance, electrical installations, doors, windows and medical equipment in some wards were damaged during the protest, denying allegations of negligence against the hospital, as well as insisting that victims brought to the facility were promptly attended to before critical cases were referred to the teaching hospital for advanced care.
“No death was recorded in this hospital. The casualties occurred at the accident scene. Our team responded immediately and worked in collaboration with UCTH to manage the situation,” he said.
Ayuk acknowledged the right of citizens to peaceful protest but warned that the destruction of public property undermines healthcare services and could endanger lives.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Nursing, Dr Esu Coco-Bassey, alleged that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums, stressing that health workers acted professionally in handling the victims.
A nurse at the hospital, Godwin Betiang, said the protest turned violent as some individuals stormed the facility, forcing staff and patients to flee for safety while equipment was destroyed.
Meanwhile, some students blamed the hospital for the deaths of their colleagues, alleging that there were no medical personnel available to attend to them when they were brought in.
Security operatives later dispersed the protesters who marched to the governor’s office using tear gas.