Woman, four grandchildren die from suspected food poisoning in Ondo

A distraught man, Ademola Adeola, has urged the Ondo State Government to probe the tragic death of his mother and his four children, allegedly from food poisoning after consuming pap in Akure, the state capital.

The incident, which occurred at Gaga Street, Oke Aro, Akure, left the family in mourning after Mrs. Esther Adeola and her four grandchildren died between Saturday and Sunday.

Reports indicate that Mrs. Adeola was the first to pass away shortly after consuming the pap, while the grandchildren, aged nine, eight, six, and three, succumbed the following day after battling severe vomiting and stomach pain.

Narrating the ordeal on Tuesday, Ademola recounted how his children fell ill immediately after consuming the pap on Saturday morning, leading him to rush them to the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Akure, but his efforts to save them were unsuccessful.

“They started vomiting and complaining of stomach pain after taking the pap. I rushed them to the General Hospital at UNIMED. One of the doctors asked me how I was sure it was food poisoning and suggested I give them palm oil to drink,” he recounted.

Adeola expressed frustration, alleging that the hospital lacked the necessary facilities to resuscitate the victims.

He also criticised the doctors’ response, claiming they were unsure of the appropriate treatment.

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“I heard one of the doctors say, ‘I don’t know what to give them, I don’t know what to do, I’m tired.’ They later administered some drugs, which I believe were responsible for their deaths,” he lamented.

All five victims have since been buried, leaving the family in grief.

Reacting to the allegations, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, denied any negligence on the part of the hospital, stating that the medical team, including four consultants, did everything possible to save the children’s lives.

“I was personally at the hospital with them. There were four consultants and other doctors working tirelessly to save the children, but unfortunately, they didn’t make it. It’s untrue that the hospital lacked the necessary facilities to handle such cases,” Ajaka explained.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed that although the incident wasn’t formally reported, officers from the B Division have visited the family’s residence to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The command’s spokesperson, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, stated, “The matter was not reported at any police station, but our men have visited the house of the deceased to understand what happened.”