[Sender’s Address]
No. 12, Adekunle Street,
Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
23rd September, 2025.
The Editor,
The Daily Times Newspaper,
Lagos State.
Dear Sir,
COMPLAINT ABOUT THE POOR CONDITION OF OGBOMOSHO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Through the pages of your widely read newspaper, I wish to draw the urgent attention of the government and the general public to the deplorable state of the Ogbomosho General Hospital. This health facility, which is supposed to serve the medical needs of thousands of residents, has deteriorated so badly that it now poses a greater risk to patients than the illnesses they come to treat.
The hospital is currently plagued by several challenges that have made it almost unfit for medical service. First, the infrastructure is in ruins: leaking roofs, broken ceilings, cracked walls, and unkempt surroundings. Patients and their relatives are forced to stay under unhygienic conditions, which expose them to infections. The wards are overcrowded, and patients often share beds or sleep on bare floors due to lack of space.
Secondly, there is an acute shortage of drugs and essential medical supplies. Patients are frequently asked to buy drugs, syringes, and even common items like gloves and cotton wool from private pharmacies outside the hospital. This not only increases the financial burden on poor families but also defeats the very purpose of having a public hospital.
Equally disturbing is the inadequate number of qualified medical personnel. Many times, only one doctor is available to attend to a large number of patients waiting in long queues. Emergencies are left unattended for hours, leading to avoidable deaths. The few nurses and attendants on duty are overstretched and often show signs of frustration.
The hospital’s equipment tells the same sad story. X-ray machines, laboratory equipment, and incubators are either broken or obsolete. In fact, some departments such as the maternity ward rely on outdated tools, putting the lives of mothers and newborn babies at risk.
Sir, the condition of Ogbomosho General Hospital is nothing short of a public health disaster. The state government must urgently intervene by renovating the hospital buildings, employing more qualified staff, providing adequate drugs and medical equipment, and ensuring proper sanitation. If these steps are taken, the hospital will once again be able to fulfill its mandate of saving lives and improving public health.
I urge you to publish this letter in your newspaper so that the relevant authorities will act quickly to remedy the situation. The health and future of our community depend on it.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
Adebayo Oladimeji
What Examiners Want to See
- Correct Letter Format – address, date, editor’s details, salutation, subject/title, and closing.
- Clarity of Complaint – problem stated clearly in the introduction.
- Detailed Description – examiner expects you to explain the condition (infrastructure, staff, drugs, equipment).
- Call to Action – what you want the government/authorities to do.
- Formal Tone – respectful, objective, and persuasive language.
- Adequate Length – 450+ words with well-structured paragraphs.
Tips for Students
- When writing to a newspaper editor, always remember you are addressing the public indirectly; keep it formal and informative.
- Make sure your letter paints a clear picture of the problem – this shows good content development.
- Avoid emotional outbursts or insults against authorities; instead, focus on facts and solutions.
- Use paragraphing effectively: introduction of the issue, detailed explanation, effects, suggestions, conclusion.
- Always end with a polite request for publication of the letter.