The National Association of Nigerian Students has raised concerns over alleged delays in medical attention for victims of a road crash involving students of the University of Cross River State, which claimed four lives.
The association, through its Joint Campus Council in Cross River State, said some of the injured students were either denied or subjected to delayed treatment at a general hospital shortly after the accident.
In a statement on Saturday, the NANS JCC Chairman in the state, Victor Asuquo, expressed grief over the incident and sympathy for those currently receiving treatment in various hospitals.
He said NANS officials who visited the victims observed that while some were responding to treatment, others remained in critical condition.
“As a body, we are deeply concerned by reports that some victims were initially denied or delayed access to care. In emergency situations, prompt medical attention should not be compromised,” the statement read.
The association called on relevant authorities to probe the alleged lapses and ensure such incidents do not recur.
NANS, however, commended the swift intervention of medical personnel at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Arubah Specialist Hospital, describing their response as timely and professional.
It also lauded the Vice-Chancellor of UNICROSS, Francisca Bassey, for visiting the injured students late into the night, noting that the gesture reflected responsive leadership.
Meanwhile, the university community has been thrown into mourning following the death of three students and a staff member in the crash.
In a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Onen Ebri, the victims were said to be returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when the accident occurred in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The deceased students were identified as Solomon Uya, Director of Sports of the Students’ Union Government; Lucky Erim, a Chemistry student and President of the Faculty of Physical Sciences Students’ Association; and Favour Darlington of the Department of Educational Management.
The institution also confirmed the death of the driver, Anthony Arikpo, a staff member.
According to the statement, other injured victims are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals, while the Vice-Chancellor and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Stella Maris-Okey, monitored their condition through the night.
The university extended condolences to the families of the deceased and assured injured students of continued medical care and support.
As part of mourning measures, NANS directed all student associations in the state to suspend social activities for seven days in honour of the deceased.
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