Senator Banigo Ipalibo says the Senate will take steps to tackle the menace of “one chance”, a notorious criminal gang operating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other major cities.

Ms Ipalibo, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, gave the assurance when she led her committee members on an on-the-spot assessment visit to Maitama District Hospital on Thursday in Abuja.

The committee was on the visit to assess the situation that led to the recent tragic passing of one Greatness Olorunfemi due to the activities of one chance operator in the area.

The visit was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River) mandating the Senate Committee on Health to investigate the situation that led to the death of one Olorunfemi.

Ms Olorunfemi was reportedly forcibly ejected from a moving vehicle along the Maitama-Kubwa highway after being stabbed by criminals who had robbed her.

Olugbenga Bello, the acting director-general of the Hospitals Management Board, FCT, received the lawmakers. They were shown closed-circuit television footage of a series of the events that occurred the day Ms Olorunfemi was rushed to the hospital.

“We have listened to a number of testimonials and insights into the unfortunate incident that led to the unfortunate death of Greatness Olorunfemi.

“We really condole with the family. Unfortunately, no member was able to be here. The father had sent a letter earlier.

“Having gone wards around the hospital, we have definitely seen some systemic gaps that require closure,” Ms Ipalibo said.

The lawmaker assured the Senate would take some actionable steps to close those gaps in the nation’s hospitals.

She, however, expressed appreciation to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and his team, who provided more couches for the hospital.

Ms Ipalibo further urged the management of the Maitama District Hospital to ensure the activation of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance (NEMSAS), which is responsible for medical emergency services in the country.

Earlier, Mr Bello tendered the board’s apology, claiming three personnel assessed the patient, using a stethoscope for her heartbeat.

“And I think it is at that point that they considered that this was no longer an emergency. She was brought in dead.

“All the same, we apologise for assessing the patient in the car and for taking a while to do that,” he stated.

(NAN)