There is an apparent death-trap lurking in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), as the gutter at the entrance to the hospital has exposed some of its portions without slabs to cover them, while patients and visitors to the facility continue to risk their lives trying to access their way in and out.

Following this ugly development, some visitors to the tertiary health institution and concerned Akwa Ibom people who spoke to our correspondent recently expressed displeasure over the situation, describing it as a negligence by UUTH to take precautions to prevent any loss of life.

According to them, for the hospital to allow those portions of the uncovered gutter which are directly opposite the gate and also the only entrance to the facility to remain dangerously so up until now, the institution might be painting a picture of itself working in contrast to the services it offers.

Mr. Ekpedeme Jumbo, one of the concerned Akwa Ibom people and a visitor to the tertiary health institution who expressed worry over the situation, told our correspondent that each time he drove along Abak Road, where the hospital is located, it was always pathetic to see the uncovered portions of the gutter remain a danger in waiting, particularly for patients and visitors going to the facility for the first time.

Mr. Jumbo, who is the Managing Director of Fonex Pharmacy, Aka Road, Uyo, opined that up to 90% of people who visit the hospital daily usually did so during emergencies, and therefore, could fall into the uncovered portions of the long stretched gutter while in such situations.

” I want to tell you that anytime I pass there, I get troubled, because those openings on the gutter have been there for more than a year now.

“ When we talk about a health facility, it is only 5% of normal people that would go there. 95% of people who go there are usually on emergencies. They might not be well; they might be in a hurry to see a doctor. So, I’m trying to look at a situation where somebody who is not familiar with the environment rushes there. What do you think will happen? How does it sound that someone who was going to the hospital to get help becomes a victim, while trying to enter the facility?

Mr. Jumbo also expressed displeasure over what he termed “lack of concern” by the hospital to think of either lightening up the place well at night, or putting up a caution sign to alert commuters entering the facility of danger.

“Another concern I have is that the gutter areas are not well lit up, especially at night. Even if there were well lit, no sign to tell patients on emergencies and visitors alike that there is a danger in front of the hospital gate”.

The Managing Director of Fonex Pharmacy therefore, called on the relevant authorities to urgently address the situation, with a view to averting the looming danger around the hospital.

He suggested that for the safety of its patients and visitors, UUTH could take up the responsibility of fixing back the collapsed slabs on those openings.

Mr. Jumbo also called on the Ministry of Works and Fire Service to assist the hospital fix back those broken slabs, to prevent any future occurrence.

“ I therefore, call on the authority concerned to urgently address the situation. The hospital can do something, and even the government, through the Ministry of Works and Fire Service”.

Saviour Akpan, who also bared his mind on the danger in front of the hospital gate, alleged that patients to hospitals generally had already been made victims of the seemingly careless attitude of some healthcare givers within the health system in Nigeria.

Akpan, who is a Human Human Rights Activist, condemned the attitude of some government institutions who would wait for things to happen before taking actions, calling on UUTH to address the situation without further delay.

The Human Rights Activist also urged the Ministry of Works and Fire Service to swiftly intervene on the broken slabs and save the lives of its people.

Akpan also advised the government to strengthen its institutions responsible for fixing potholes and carrying out other repair works on the roads.

A chat with the hospital’s Information Officer, Mr. Offong Umoh Offong, revealed that UUTH had, in the past, covered the openings when the hospital found that the slabs had caved in.

But, Mr. Offong said the openings quickly returned as a result of some heavy duty trucks that broke the slabs while attempting to use the U-turn in front of the hospital.

The Information Officer, who admitted the danger of having those portions of the water channel uncovered, however said the hospital would continue to take precautionary measures to forestall any ugly incident.

He therefore, called on government to assist the hospital in addressing the issue.

A member of staff of the hospital who confided in our correspondent said the hospital had, before now, covered the openings, but alleged that the slabs were of inferior quality, as the contract for the construction of the slabs was given to personnel who had no engineering expertise.

She said unless the management of the hospital would jettison the idea of giving contracts to unqualified personnel, it would continue to endanger the lives of its patients.