Fear grips Oyo community after doctor, three nurses die at same hospital within days

Residents of Saki, in Oyo State, are gripped with fear following the sudden deaths of a doctor and three nurses at Almusharaf Hospital, located in the Oke Sunah area, within a span of just 72 hours.

The deaths have left the community shaken, with many speculating about the possible cause.

The first death occurred on Sunday when a nurse employed at the hospital passed away. The following days saw a troubling pattern, with another nurse dying on Monday, and the doctor and a third nurse dying the next day, leaving residents deeply concerned.

Mr. Adekunle Lawal, a resident, expressed his anxiety about the deaths while speaking with Vanguard, stating: “Three days ago, one nurse died, and on Monday, another nurse died. Then, yesterday, the doctor and another nurse died. We are afraid because we don’t know what caused their deaths. The doctor is a quack doctor. Maybe all of them treated a patient who had a contagious disease, which I think was not well handled.”

Lawal further noted that the hospital, though large and well-equipped, carries out minor surgeries and sometimes brings in external doctors. “It’s a very big hospital. They carry out minor surgery on patients, and at times they invite doctors from elsewhere to join them,” he explained.

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While some have speculated that a contagious disease could be the cause, Lawal pointed out that none of the hospital’s patients had died, only the staff. “If it’s a contagious disease, how come that no patients died but the staff? People are also speculating that it could be food poisoning. Maybe one of them ate food and gave others to eat. We don’t know. All these are mere assumptions until those responsible for monitoring these hospitals carry out an autopsy on the deceased.”

He also emphasized that the deceased, who were all Muslim, have already been buried. “All of them have been buried. You know they are Muslim. Please, the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies should step in,” he urged.

Adeola Fehintola, a legal practitioner and another concerned resident, echoed the need for immediate investigation into the deaths. “You know Saki is very close to the borders. Maybe someone with a contagious disease has just come in. My people are living there, and those in charge should do something urgent to know the actual cause of death,” Fehintola said.

As fears mount, the community is calling on the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fatalities and prevent further deaths.

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