COVID-19: We spent N118m to support UCH, Virology Dept – Oyo Govt insists

The Oyo State Government on Wednesday insisted that it has spent the sum of one hundred and eighteen million naira (N118m) to support the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan in the fight against the coronavirus.

The state government noted that it is standing by its position that it has supported the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan to the tune of N118 million in the fight against COVID-19.

Our correspondent gathered that the hospital had earlier denied receipt of the money.

But, the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said that records made available by Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinola Ojo, confirmed that the state government has provided support to the UCH and the Department of Virology located inside the College to the tune of the said sum.

Adisa in the statement made available to DAILY POST further indicated that attempts by the management of the UCH to disown the Department of Virology, which serves as the teaching and research department in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan as well as provides Clinical Services to the UCH, is self-serving, artificial and contemptuous.

Adisa said, “The state government is of the view that attempts to create thin lines between the Department of Virology, College of Medicine, which provides Clinical Services to the UCH and operates from the same premises as the Hospital, amount to being clever by half, because in practical terms, the divorce cannot just hold.

“Staffers of the Department hold identity cards of the UCH and that of the University of Ibadan, even as the Department remains the only one that undertakes virology-related assignments for the UCH.

“That the supplier is just about to deliver the said items is an evidence of the protocols related to movement schedules of all items within the environment of a global pandemic.

“In order to clarify the referenced N118 million support, it is important to first of all state that we were made aware of a distinction between the University College Hospital (UCH) and the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

“Oyo State Government has provided support to both institutions during this COVID-19 pandemic.”