24/08/2025
https://africanfirstnews.com.ng/2025/08/23/college-of-nursing-sciences-mater-misericordiae-hospital-afikpo-clears-air-over-death-of-student/
College of Nursing Sciences, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo Clears Air Over Death of Student
By Udo Ahonu (Abakaliki) /
Jennifer Edeh (Enugu)
The management of the College of Nursing Sciences, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo owned by the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State has released a public statement clarifying the circumstances of the death of a second year nursing student of the health institution.
A statement signed by the Registrar of the College on Friday, said the deceased identified as Theresa Isu, died of electrocution while trying to use a faulty extension cable in her hostel room on Sunday, 17th August, 2025.
"The sad event took place in the students' hostel room where in a bid to plug an electrical appliance, was electrocuted by an extension cable. She was rushed to Mater Misericordiae Hospital where medical treatment commenced immediately."
Both the Management of the College and Mater Misericordiae Hospital said it did all it could to save the life of the deceased, and had promptly contacted the family and close relatives when the incident happened, which the victim's husband and some relatives came from Afikpo not too long afterward she was brought to the hospital.
"With the consent of the family, the remains was later moved to the Hospital morgue for preservation", the statement noted.
In what is its first official statement since the tragic incident, the College management explained that the Administrator who was not within the premises when the incident occurred, upon being notified, quickly rushed back, was debriefed and he promptly drew the attention of other stakeholders, including the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, College Provost and the Registrar to developments at the facility.
"Upon the arrival of the Provost and Registrar with some Hospital and College staff who were on ground, three members of the family, including the husband, went in for a meeting. Thereafter, the team visited the hostel room to see the scene of the incident."
The Press statement further disclosed that the Afikpo Divisional Police Command was equally contacted in line with the "Principle of Mandatory Report" requirement of such matters in hospital management protocol.
It said, the Police took some evidence after due observations, questioned the two roommates of the deceased, as well as some members of the management of the College and hospital, while investigation is ongoing.
To clear the air on insinuations made in some online publications, the authorities of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital and the College said that it followed required administrative protocols in handling what it described as the "sad event", stating that it was however, conscious of the sensitivities of the parties, the need to respect the privacy of the affected family, and to protect the dignity of their deceased student, which is in line with best practices, hence the decision not to rush to the social media and the Press.
"We wish to underscore herein, that every organised institution be it public or private, follows administrative protocol, in handling susceptible matters. This would consider the sensitivity and in some cases, the delicate nature of the matter in question. The psycho-emotional state and consent of concerned parties are of primary consideration. Therefore, understanding, variables, circumstantial evidence and truth of any matter are keys to objective evaluation and judgement", the statement by the management emphasised.
Both the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, and the Management of the College of Nursing Sciences, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo, have implored its staff, students and the general public to remain calm as matters of such sensitivity and delicateness require due protocols and consent of concerned parties to bring possible resolution.
_Blossom TV Nigeria_ Correspondent in Abakaliki gathered from a source does not want to be identified that already talks are ongoing between the Hospital stakeholders and the family of the deceased, in order to reach an understanding for the burial of the demised student.
SEE FULL TEXT OF PRESS STATEMENT Below.
