… Doctors Body Worries Over Members with Contact to Infested Persons
The Nigeria Medical Association, Oyo State Chapter has lost two of its members to lassa fever.
In a statement authorized by the state NMA Chairman, Dr. Ayotunde Fasunla, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the association said the tragic deaths occurred within a space of 24 hours.
The statement added that the NMA is worried about the health of its members who have come into contact with the disease.
Dr. Ayotunde Fasunla, urge all doctors to treat all febrile illnesses with a high index of suspicion.
He said, “It is indeed a sad week, and our eyes are still soaked in tears.
“While we thought that COVID-19 had done its worst, we are now dealing with another onslaught of a Lassa fever outbreak.
“Furthermore, we are worried about other health workers who have had contact with the disease unknowingly.
“We have advised them to quarantine and report if they develop any symptoms of viral haemorrhagic fever.
“The NMA urges her members to treat all febrile illnesses with a high index of suspicion. We have instructed our colleagues to be cautious and vigilant at all times, not only for the sake of their health and safety but also in the interest of the patients and public health.
“Members, especially the frontline doctors and other health workers, must wear appropriate personal protective equipment, PPEs, at all times. We appeal to the management of health institutions in the state to make the PPEs readily available, as well as soap and running water for hand-washing immediately after attending to patients, to protect our members and other healthcare workers from contracting transmissible infections.” The statement said.
Fasunla, therefore, appealed to the state government to conduct intensive surveillance and sensitization on Lassa fever outbreaks in affected communities as well as across all local government areas in the state.
He commiserated with the families of the departed souls who died while performing their professional duties to the service of humanity.
The management of the University College Hospital, had said in a circular on Thursday that Nigeria has recorded 1,992 cases of lassa fever in 33 states in 2022.
It was stated that Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Benue, Taraba, Ebonyi, Oyo and Enugu States are the worst hit by the dreaded disease.
