FG to provide medical items for victims

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Saturday said the Federal Government would provide medical items to aid the speedy recovery of victims of the Nnewi gas explosion.

The South-East Coordinator of NEMA, Mr James Eze, said this after visiting victims of the explosion at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the explosion, which occurred on Thursday, led to the death of six persons while several others sustained burns.

``NEMA commends the staff of both federal hospitals for their commitment to duty even in this festive season.

``The three victims in the Regional Burn Centre at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, and the pregnant victim at the Intensive Care Unit of UNTH are in stable condition and responding to treatment.

`` The agency would assist these health institutions with medical items to improve their services as well as help in the speedy recovery of these victims, especially those at the burn centre,’’ he said.

Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, who also visited the victims, said Gov. Willie Obiano sent him to reassure the hospitals that the state government would pay the medical bills of the patients.

``Gov. Obiano is deeply concerned and had also sent me to give him up-to-date information on the condition of the victims sent to the two federal referral hospitals in Enugu.

`` Thank God all the victims are doing well and worthy of note is the pregnant victim, who is now conscious and responding very well to treatment,’’ Akabuike said.

Dr. C. U. Nwadinigwe, the Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, assured the agency and the Anambra government that the victims would be given the best medical care.