The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State has provided detailed information regarding the death of Abimbola Ajayi, a student in the Department of Leisure and Tourism.

The institution’s management has clarified that her passing was due to a failed abortion, rather than any negligence on the part of the clinic.

The deceased was a student in the HND 1 program at the polytechnic. Some students had raised concerns about the clinic’s handling of Ajayi’s case, claiming that the clinic required her to present her student identity and medical cards before providing treatment.

Wakadaily learnt that, Bameke Solomon, the Sports Director of the National Association of Nigeria Students in the Southwest, revealed that the clinic delayed in attending to Ajayi, only starting treatment about 20 minutes after she was brought in.

he stated , “Around 2 pm on Wednesday, an HND I student, Abimbola Ajayi, was rushed from the department’s kitchen where they were having practical exams. She complained of stomach ache and became very weak and was rushed to the school’s clinic.

“Instead of attending to her immediately, the medical staff insisted on seeing her student’s ID and medical cards. This was on for like 20 minutes after which they later attended to her but transferred her to another hospital outside the campus where she was pronounced dead.”

Additionally, the Student Union President, Damilare Thanni, corroborated the story that the medical staff wasted time asking for Ajayi’s medical card.

He further stated , “We understand that she wasn’t attended to promptly. The clinic should reconsider the requirement for student IDs and medical cards during emergencies. Our school has been supportive regarding medical care, but yesterday’s incident was unexpected.”

The accusations were disputed by a statement from Deputy Registrar of Public Relations, Mr. Sola Abiala, who indicated that the medical report obtained from the Director of Medical Services at the institution revealed that the deceased was taken to the clinic from a practical class due to abdominal pain.

It was mentioned that the deceased’s boyfriend, who was with her at the time, confirmed that she was pregnant.

“Realising that the clinic may not be able to treat the case properly, due to its nature, she was quickly referred to a private hospital in the town and was conveyed to the said hospital in one of the institution’s ambulances, accompanied by a nurse and the boyfriend of the deceased. Her parents were promptly contacted, and they reportedly came to Ilaro,” the statement partly read.

The Dean of Student Affairs,  Dr J. O. Omowunmi, affirmed that the parents of Ajayi took her remains home in the polytechnic’s ambulance.

He mentioned, “In as much as the polytechnic regrets the unfortunate incident and commiserate with the parents, it is pertinent to reiterate that the death of Miss Ajayi was not as a result of negligence by the clinic as being peddled, but as a result of pregnancy-related complications.

“The Rector, Dr Mikhail. Akinde, on behalf of the management, staff and students of the polytechnic hereby, commiserates with the parents, friends, and classmates of the deceased and prays for the repose of her soul by Almighty God.”