Korede Abdullah 
OGBOMOSO, Nigeria – A routine medical evaluation has revealed that a rescued Oyo schoolchild who spent 56 days in captivity has a congenital heart defect, prompting plans for further treatment by the Oyo State Government.
The condition is discovered during post-rescue medical examinations at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, where rescued pupils and teachers undergo comprehensive health and psychological assessments after regaining their freedom.
Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, says the child is stable and that the hospital will formally notify the Oyo State Government to facilitate specialist treatment.
A hospital source says doctors identify a hole in the child’s heart during the medical assessment, adding that the parents were previously unaware of the condition.
“The child has a hole in the heart, which was discovered during our medical assessment. There is no cause for alarm because the child is stable and doing well. We have commenced the necessary medical procedures and will formally notify the Oyo State Government to facilitate the next phase of treatment,” the source says.
The discovery comes as rescued pupils and teachers reunite with their families on Tuesday after weeks of medical care and trauma counselling.
Scenes of emotional reunions unfold at the hospital as parents embrace their children for the first time since the abduction on May 15.
According to Olakulehin, 31 of the 39 rescued pupils have been discharged after being certified medically fit, while eight others remain under observation.
The rescued Oyo schoolchild is among dozens of pupils and teachers who regained their freedom on July 10 after armed bandits abducted them from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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