Ventilators: Outrage as ex-Kwara health commissioner recants

•Kwarans demand investigation

Reactions have continued to trail online comment credited to a former Kwara state Commissioner for Health, Atolagbe Alege, recanting his claims that the last administration purchased two ventilators for hospitals’ Intensive Care Units in the state.

Alege had on Saturday, denied allegations that there were no ventilators in Kwara state before now, saying the administration he worked for left three ventilators in good working condition.

Responding to this, the governor’s spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye challenged him to provide proof for his claims.

Ajakaye said, “If what he said is true that they procured two ventilators, then somebody in their team possibly made away with the ventilators (or money was released and it was never bought) because we inherited no such thing. We therefore found in his claim an urgent need to retrieve for Kwarans what should belong to them.

“Mr Alege may therefore be needed in the coming days to assist the security agencies, especially the EFCC, to retrieve those two ventilators because they are properties of the people of Kwara State.

Consequently, Alege retracted his statement. He said, “Without mincing words, as a former commissioner for health in the state, I have given an account of what I know about the state of medical facilities in the last administration and I still stand by it.

“Further investigation revealed that the state government under the last administration decided to prioritize the procurement of more oxygen concentrators in other to service many hospitals since the ventilators are only key in intensive care unit (ICU).

“Findings revealed that all other medical equipment were procured only the ventilator was stepped down for the reason stated above.”

However, Alege’s retraction statement generated a lot of reactions from some online users. Many suggested a serious investigation into his ealier claims.

Reacting, @comrade Bolakale said, “In honest, his words shouldn’t be taken lightly. The govt has to take the matter forward. I’m pretty sure, Egbon @⁨Alege Atolagbe⁩ isn’t a that speak out of ignorance. He wasn’t born to make false claims. My appeal to him is simple, he should not subject himself to the discussion that must have transpired behind the screen. He should be courageous to stand by his first statement which I believe to be truth. It’s for the kwara and kwarans.”

According to @Oladimeji, “@Oladimeji
Averagely 5.1m /1 Ventilator. So, N15.3m worth of Ventilators missing. Will it be worthy to look for it? Yes. #Bring_back_our_ventilators.”

On his part, @Akogun stated, “If I tell you what happened to ventilators inherited from the military, you’ll weep for our dear State. AA should assist Kwara by ordering an independent and apolitical audit of all State institutions from 1999, the revelations will be shocking and players in the opposition and ruling party might be affected including former House of Assembly members. Kwara and Kwarans have been taken for a ride for too long.”

Reacting in the same vein, @Mashood said, “Abeg after the Ventilator comes back to Kwara, we can now know who and who… Make them go pick them calmly one by one before they look for escape route in this lockdown.”

Meanwhile, @sai bukky was of the opinion that, “He didn’t said he was the one incharge of purchase or the ventilator got missing during his time in office. The state will only need his help in getting vital information that’ll lead to the retreaval.”