Authority of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, has refuted   report written by one Mr. Etim Ekpimah of The Punch newspaper that 200 persons died from the collapsed building belonging to Reigners’ Bible Church International on Saturday in Uyo.

 

 In a press statement issued and made available to news men in Uyo, the Chief Medical Director described The Punch report as untrue, saying he did not at any time  inform The Punch reporter or other media houses that 200 persons died in the disaster.

 

 The Punch had quoted the CMD as saying: “Many victims are in private hospitals and mortuaries scattered all over Uyo metropolis; we can’t really tell how many people have died so far. We have over 200 persons in the mortuaries. We do not have space as people are still being brought in.’’

 

 

What I told journalists who were desirous in knowing the casualty figures after the incident  was that’’ it would be very difficult for the hospital to ascertain the exact number of death and those injured as several others were taken to Annua General Hospital and the Ibom Specialty Hospital.

 

 ‘’On our own part here, we are working round the clock to ensure that those who are seriously injured are given prompt attention.”

 

  The Teaching Hospital wishes to state that the report as written by the Punch reporter was a figment of the writer’s imagination in order to confuse unsuspecting members of the public.

 

 The Punch reporter has been urged to retract the report and tender unreserved apology for causing panic to members of the public through the report.

 

The general public is therefore by this statement urged to discountenance the said report as necessary measures are taken to ensure that those injured in the disaster are treated.