NAN-HG-18
Fumigation
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Jan. 30, 2017 (NAN) Dr Giyan Joshua-Ndom, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Monday, said the hospital had been fumigated against the deadly Lassa fever virus.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state that the public had nothing to worry about, as the hospital was now safe from the disease after the fumigation.
A suspected case of Lassa fever was confirmed by the hospital’s medical director on Jan. 13 and the patient died of the disease on Jan. 15.
The medical director said “our doctors are professionals who have gone through vigorous training to save lives, which was what they did in the case of Mr Baba Lawal who was referred by a doctor from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, to FMC Keffi.
“Lawal was unconscious on arrival on Jan. 11 but unknown to us, he was suspected to have Lassa fever and our doctors attended to him, risking the infection.
“While scouting for drugs and personal protective equipment, the Federal Ministry of Health responded promptly to our call and a total of four doses of Ribavirin were administered on him before his death on Jan. 15.
“I want to use this medium to inform the public that the centre is safe from the disease as it has since been fumigated.”
Joshua-Ndom sympathised with the deceased’s family for the loss and considered their sharp reactions and claims that the patient was killed as part of grieving process.
The medical director urged the public to disregard the rumour going round that late Baba Lawal died as a result of negligence.
He advised residents to promptly report to the nearest hospital or health centre any suspected case of Lassa fever for timely professional care. (NAN)
AKW/ORO/HA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu