The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has stated that there is no sign of a major epidemic outbreak at the Queen’s College in Yaba.
He stated this after he went on an inspection tour following news of an outbreak at the school.
After the inspection, Abayomi expressed satisfaction at the school’s facilities used by the students and teachers.
“I came here to have an idea of how many girls are experiencing any illnesses in light of the recent report of an excess of upper respiratory tract infection in the last week or two but I have gone round; I have been into the sickbay and through all the dormitories, I have interacted with all the girls; very clever, bright and happy girls and we haven’t really seen any evidence of major infection in the School, all the students look very happy and very healthy and I am happy that things are going on well here.”
“I am very happy that whatever had happened in the last two or three weeks, we have seen that it has significantly subsided. The sickbay doesn’t have many students in it. We only had two or three cases this morning of cough or cold which is not to be unexpected”, Abayomi added.
The commissioner stated that there was need for the upgrade of some facilities. He was accompanied on the inspection by the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ismail Abdul-Salam; Principal of the School, Mrs. Tokunbo Yakubu-Oyinloye; Vice Principals Special Duties and Student Affairs, Mr. Adeyanju Adewale and Mrs. Chinyere Okeke; Resident Doctor, Dr. Fatimah Ahmadu and the Head Girl, Miss Rachael Alatise.
“We’ve examined the water system, the kitchen, and the bathrooms; by and large I am satisfied. The water is clean, I drank some myself. I saw where they prepare the food it looks satisfactory.
There does require a little bit of work and we are making our recommendations but by and large, I am happy with the general environment of the school. Of course it requires little touch up here and there, we have identified some places and I will appeal to the Federal Government and the Queens College Old Girls Association to pay more attention to this fantastic school with incredible heritage, that we keep maintaining it to a standard that everybody is accustomed to and will be proud of,” Abayomi said.
He also assured parents and students who had gone home to return to school because there was no cause for alarm.
“My advice to the parents is that I am satisfied that everything is okay here and your children can come back, I haven’t identified any risk or any cause for concern. So those children that have gone home, you can come back, nothing serious is happening in Queens College”, the Commissioner stated.