The north’s health minister, Hakan Dincyurek, is facing mounting pressure to resign after the tragic death of nine-year-old Chinyere Olivia Ojoagu.
- The north’s health minister, Hakan Dincyurek, is facing mounting pressure to resign after the tragic death of nine-year-old Chinyere Olivia Ojoagu.
- He insisted that there was nothing wrong with Chinyere prior to her hospital visit, which adds to the family's distress over the lack of clarity surrounding her death.
- The hospital has announced that an investigation is underway, with autopsy results expected soon. Tissue samples have also been sent for further analysis in Turkey.
- Ustel's statement reflects the gravity of the situation, as both the public and officials demand accountability and improvement within the healthcare system.
Ojoagu was admitted to an emergency hospital in northern Nicosia experiencing symptoms resembling epilepsy. She was discharged on Sunday but suffered a cardiac arrest the following day, raising serious concerns regarding the care she received.
Health minister: Political Backlash
Opposition party CTP’s secretary-general, Erkut Sahali, publicly called for minister Dincyurek’s dismissal, highlighting a pattern of negligence within the health system. Sahali referenced a previous incident involving the death of a 20-day-old baby, Mihrimah Toymuradov, who was mistakenly fed ethanol by hospital staff last year.
“The fact that the minister did not necessarily stab her in the side himself does not mean a resignation is not warranted,” Sahali stated during an appearance on Kanal Sim. “We are dealing with a ministry which has a haughty attitude, saying that autopsy results will be shared with the public if necessary.”
Father’s Grief and Questions
Chinyere’s father, Osita Ojoagu, expressed his devastation and confusion to the media. “I came to collect my daughter’s body. We do not know what happened to my daughter. Was it from an illness? We need to find out why she died,” he lamented, stressing the importance of understanding the circumstances to prevent future tragedies.
He insisted that there was nothing wrong with Chinyere prior to her hospital visit, which adds to the family’s distress over the lack of clarity surrounding her death.
Hospital’s Defence
In response to the allegations, the chief physician’s office at Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu hospital defended its actions. According to a statement, Chinyere was initially taken to the Famagusta state hospital around 10pm on Sunday. After an evaluation, the hospital recommended her admission, but her relatives declined and opted for discharge instead.
She was subsequently brought back to the emergency hospital on Monday morning, where she was examined and admitted by ambulance shortly after 10am. Tragically, she suffered a cardiac arrest around 11am, despite the medical staff’s immediate interventions.
The hospital has announced that an investigation is underway, with autopsy results expected soon. Tissue samples have also been sent for further analysis in Turkey.
Prime Minister’s Statement
In light of the tragic events, Prime Minister Unal Ustel issued a statement expressing condolences to the Ojoagu family. He emphasised that “every child living in this country is our own child” and assured the public that the health ministry is closely monitoring the situation.
Ustel’s statement reflects the gravity of the situation, as both the public and officials demand accountability and improvement within the healthcare system.
