The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Osun State has investigated a complaint by a corps member over alleged failure to provide medical attention at the General Hospital, Iwo.
The investigation followed a viral video posted on social media by Olaode Testimony, serving in Ayedire Local Government Area, and his friend, Olusegun Victor, who also serves in the same local government.
In the video, the corps members alleged that they were unable to access medical attention after visiting the General Hospital, Iwo, over suspected food poisoning. They expressed concerns about their experience during the late-night visit.
Olaode explained that they arrived at the hospital at about 10:05 pm after experiencing symptoms they suspected were caused by food poisoning.
He said they visited the facility because they needed medical attention but were unsuccessful in getting treatment.
However, during the investigation conducted by the NYSC Osun State Secretariat, Olaode provided further details about what happened at the hospital, clarifying that they were not completely ignored upon arrival.
He explained that “we were received by a security personnel who directed us to a nurse. The nurse was unable to attend to us when we sought medical assistance.”
The corps member also clarified that his friend, Victor, had earlier received treatment at the same hospital that afternoon.
He disclosed that their unsuccessful attempt to obtain medical attention happened during their subsequent visit at night.
“After leaving the hospital, we proceeded to a pharmacy in Iwo, where we eventually received assistance,” he stated.
The investigation established that they obtained help at the pharmacy after failing to secure the required attention at the general hospital.
The NYSC investigation revealed that the corps member did not use the established communication channels provided by the scheme for reporting emergencies.
He did not contact his Local Government Inspector, LGI, Zonal Inspector, Corps Liaison Officer or State Coordinator.
The NYSC said it provided corps members with the telephone contacts of those officials during their orientation course to facilitate prompt intervention in emergency situations.
The investigation noted that the available communication channels were not utilised before the corps members sought assistance elsewhere.
Speaking during the investigation, the LGI, Abatan Bolanle, explained that the corps member could have contacted him immediately for guidance and assistance.
Abatan explained that he would have directed the two corps members to Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Iwo, if he had received information about their condition.
He indicated that such a referral would have enabled them to obtain the necessary medical attention.
Following the investigation, the Corps Inspection and Monitoring Branch issued queries to the corps members involved, while the matter was referred to the Corps Disciplinary Committee for necessary action.