19th April, 2016
The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Michael Ibadin, has confirmed the death of a Lassa Fever victim.
According to sources at the hospital, the patient who’s identity is yet to be verified, died in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital, after a surgical operation.
The sources who craved anonymity as they were not authorised to speak on the issue, further disclosed that all the doctors, nurses and other auxiliary staff in the theatre and the Intensive Care Unit who had contact with the late patient are currently being quarantined and closely monitored for symptoms of the hemorrhagic disease in the hospital.
It was also gathered that all equipment that were used to treat the patient both in the theatre and the ICU are also being quarantined and sterilised.
All efforts made to get confirmation from the hospital management failed as calls made to the cell phone of the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Kehinde Ibitoye, went unanswered.
The victim, who was rushed to the hospital after complaining of appendicitis was attended to by medical personnel at UBTH was immediately confirmed dead after the management of the hospital performed an operation on him.
It was however gathered that the victim who was on a visit to Nigeria died at the UBTH weeks after.
According to the sources, he attended his mother’s funeral who apparently died after contracting Lassa fever at Ekpoma, in Edo Central senatorial district in the state.
In a statement signed and made available to newsmen yesterday in Benin city, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Michael Ibadin, who confirmed the Lassa fever incidence at the hospital, said there is no cause for alarm as the hospital management had maintained professionalism in handling the case.
Ibadin said the patient who was receiving treatment at the UBTH died three hours after he was attended at the hospital,noting that “all persons who were involved in providing for care victim, have all been taken care of according to standard as determined by international best practices.”
He further stressed that management of the hospital immediately swung into action to ensure that the care givers at the hospital including staffs and medical personnels who cared for the victim were been quarantined to ensure safety adding that” there is no cause for alarm as the hospital has continued to provide services to the public under very safe environment.”
“The victim an adult male patient who was visiting from his base abroad had a typical presentation of abdominal pain. History of fever was not volunteered initially. The suspicion of Lassa fever was entertained when following surgery he had uncontrolled bleeding. He has since passed on.” Ibadin added.