The hospital said the claims circulating online did not originate from its management and should not be believed by members of the public. The denial was issued after the reports gained traction on social media and caused confusion among residents.

According to the hospital, it does not offer free DNA testing to the public. It also denied the accompanying claim that it had recorded cases of paternity fraud linked to any such testing exercise. The management described the viral posts as misleading and urged the public to disregard them completely. It said the hospital had not carried out any free DNA testing programme as suggested in the reports.

The false reports are the latest example of how unverified health claims can spread quickly on social media in Nigeria. DNA testing is a sensitive subject that often attracts wide attention because it touches on family, trust and identity. When false claims link a named hospital to free testing and paternity fraud, they can create panic, damage reputations and mislead people into making personal decisions based on wrong information.

The hospital urged members of the public to verify health related information through official channels before sharing it. It said anyone seeking DNA testing or other medical services should contact the hospital directly for accurate information about available services, procedures and costs.

It also advised the public not to rely on anonymous social media posts for medical guidance.

Health experts have long warned that DNA testing should be handled with care, confidentiality and proper counselling. Paternity testing in particular can have serious emotional, legal and family consequences. For that reason, credible hospitals and laboratories follow strict procedures on consent, sample collection, confidentiality and result disclosure, rather than offering such services as a free public spectacle.

The hospital restated its commitment to providing quality healthcare services to residents of Eku and surrounding communities. It said its focus remained on patient care, professionalism and public trust. It also called on social media users to stop spreading unverified claims that could harm individuals, families and health institutions.

Members of the public who come across similar claims are advised to check with the hospital or other trusted health authorities before believing or forwarding them. The hospital said it would continue to inform the public through its official channels whenever necessary. For now, it maintains that the reports about free DNA testing and paternity fraud cases at the facility are false.