Onitsha (Anambra) -The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) weekend commended hospitals in Onitsha, Anambra state for the prompt attention given to victims of the May 31 petrol tanker accident.
A petrol tanker had, on May 31, lost control and rammed into a motor park located at Upper Iweka, Onitsha killing more than 69 people and injuring about 50.
Mr. James Eze, South-East Zonal Co-ordinator of NEMA, gave the commendation when he led officials of the agency on a visit to the scene of the incident and hospitals in the city.
“We are in Anambra to see things ourselves.
“We are happy that doctors in Onitsha lived up to their professional ethics by admitting the victims as well as accepting the dead without first asking for money,’’ he said.
The NEMA team, accompanied by the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Emergency Agency, Chief Paul Odenigbo and the Vice Chairman of Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prof. Peter Katchy, visited Bex Memorial Hospital.
It also visited Boromeo, Toronto and Menaex Hospitals, and the Onitsha General Hospital.
At Bex Memorial, the team thanked the management for caring for Mr. James Onoha, one of the survivers.
They also commended the management and staff of the hospitals for their humanitarian services to the victims even without waiting to see any of their relatives.
At Menaex Hospital, the team heard that one of the victims with 45 per cent degree burn was responding to treatment as he was able to relate with people.
The team sympathised with six of the victims at Toronto Hospital who were recovering from fire burns and injuries.
Dr Emeka Eze, the Chief Medical Director, thanked Governor Willie Obiano for off-setting the bills of the surviving victims.
He also extended gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for commiserating with affected families, the people and government of Anambra.