A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, has given Prof Monday Igwe, MD, of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, 72 hours to restore the hospital’s School of Nursing.
The coalition, lead by Comrade Onyebuchi Igboke, who led a number of citizens on a demonstration on Wednesday, expressed dissatisfaction with the school’s closure.
He stated the shutdown was jeopardizing the future of the affected pupils and urged Health Minister Prof. Ali Pate to intervene in the hospital’s crisis.
“We are here today to request that the new Minister of Health shine a spotlight on the MD, Prof. Igwe,” he stated.
Protesters held posters that read, among other things, “Monday Igwe must step aside for investigation; Monday Igwe, we are tired of you; Prof. Ali Pate, save us from Igwe; Monday Igwe, obey court order; Monday Igwe, stop turning the institution into a family business.”
However, in response to the protest, Prof Igwe stated that he was unaware of any demonstration against him.
“I am not aware of any hospital protest or demonstration.” When I enquired, they informed me that there was no protest. “Perhaps it was arranged,” he speculated.
Igwe stated that the School of Nursing was not closed, but that the Medical Council had withdrawn its accreditation.
“The school has not been closed. Check to see if the school is closed. The accreditation was withdrawn by the Council, and I am doing all possible to ensure that it be restored.
“There is a distinction between withdrawal of accreditation and school closure,” he explained.
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