Punch Newspaper is reporting that the corpse of the patient that died of Lassa fever two weeks ago,is still at the National
Hospital in Abuja and yet to be buried.
Hospital in Abuja and yet to be buried.
A source in the hospital revealed that the family might have abandoned the corpse “because of the manner of the death.”
The 33-year-old newly-married man lived in Jos, Plateau State, but came
to see a relative in Kubwa because of his illness.He, however, died
within 24 hours of admission at the National Hospital, Abuja.
to see a relative in Kubwa because of his illness.He, however, died
within 24 hours of admission at the National Hospital, Abuja.
An employee who pleaded anonymity
said,
“The information we got was that the family of the deceased
patient are scared that they may contract the disease in the process of
the burial. Several calls have been put to them but it seems they are
not convinced. A lot of work should be done by enlightening them that
the body has been decontaminated and is therefore safe and harmless.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the
National Hospital, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, said the hospital management had
been waiting on the Federal Ministry of Health to give proper advice and
directive concerning the corpse.
National Hospital, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, said the hospital management had
been waiting on the Federal Ministry of Health to give proper advice and
directive concerning the corpse.
“Nobody is running. Our doctors, nurses
and medical staff in the Accident and Emergency Department are prepared
for any suspected cases of Lassa fever. We are prepared and there is no
cause for alarm. All the kits are available.“The corpse of the dead patient was well
bagged as usual and cannot contaminate anybody. We have informed the
Federal Ministry of Health. The ministry, through the Director, Nigerian
Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, should advise us
appropriately on it. We are waiting for the directive of the ministry.”