10th April, 2020
By Jethro lbileke
The management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), has denounced reports in a national daily that there was panic in the hospital over patients receiving care for ailment suspected to be coronavirus in its isolation centre.
The head of Rapid Response Team on COVID-19 disease of the Hospital, Dr. Benson Okwara, made the rebuttal on Thursday, while reacting to a report.
He said that the two COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in the facility were fast recuperating, following medical care provided by its health personnel.
He added that medical personnel of the Hospital have always prioritise their safety by putting on their face masks and hand gloves.
“One of the patient is almost asymptomatic. Our healthcare workers in medical emergency have always put on their medical face masks and hand gloves.They have also maintained other standard precautions which have been enshrined in UBTH’s care processes,” Okwara stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Medical Advisory committee (CMAC) of UBTH, Prof Casimir Omuemu, said that Hospital has always maintained global best practice in handling cases of COVID-19 disease.
He stressed that members of its Rapid Response team have so far activated 12 doctors, 33 paramedics and 30 nurses, who are on ground to receive any case and provide guidance.
Omuemu who noted that areas receiving suspected and confirmed cases are already activated with drugs and personal protective equipment (PPE), saying that all out-patients clinics remain functional, though activities have scaled downwards to facilitate adequate infection control measures.