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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

UNILAG tests hostel water after students report vomiting, stooling

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The University of Lagos is investigating reports of contaminated water in some hostels after students complained of vomiting and stooling.
  • The university management has initiated a comprehensive assessment of its water supply system, including laboratory tests, to verify the claims.
  • While investigations are ongoing, the Students' Union noted that no definitive link has been established, and some affected students live off-campus.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has launched an investigation into alleged contamination of its hostel water supply following numerous student complaints of illness, including vomiting and stooling. Students, particularly those residing in female hostels, reported experiencing adverse health effects they suspect are linked to the water quality.

The attention of the University of Lagos Management has been drawn to reports on the alleged contamination of the campus water supply in some halls of residence. We wish to assure all students, staff and members of the campus community that the matter is being treated with utmost urgency and seriousness.

— Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, Head of Communication Unit, University of LagosAcknowledging the reports and assuring swift action.

In response, the university management has assured the campus community that the matter is being treated with utmost urgency and seriousness. A thorough assessment of the water supply system is underway, involving necessary water quality tests to ascertain the accuracy of the reports and identify any potential health risks. Immediate measures have also been implemented to safeguard the health and welfare of all students while the investigation proceeds.

Relevant departments have commenced a thorough assessment of the water supply system, including necessary water quality tests, to determine the accuracy of the reports and identify any potential risks. Also, immediate interventions have been put in place to ensure that the welfare, health and safety of all students are adequately protected.

— University of Lagos ManagementDetailing the steps being taken to investigate and ensure student safety.

The University of Lagos Students’ Union has been actively engaged with the situation, monitoring developments and liaising with relevant authorities. The union stated that, as of Tuesday, no definitive link had been established between the reported health cases and the university's water supply. Medical personnel at the University Medical Centre indicated that the assessed cases have not been medically connected to the water, and notably, some affected students reside off-campus. However, an inspection following reports of discolored water in one hostel block identified a borehole serving that specific block as the source of the problem, prompting immediate university intervention.

At this time, investigations are still ongoing, and no definitive link has been established between the reported health cases and the university’s hostel water supply.

— Akinpelu Bolaji, Students' Union President, University of LagosProviding an update on the investigation from the student union's perspective.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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