From Bola Ogunlayi,
Ibadan Two medical doctors have been reported to have died of Lassa fever in Oyo where a new outbreak was recorded.
The chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Oyo State branch, Dr. Ayotunde Fasunla has confirmed the unfortunate development involving two of his members.
The NMA in a signed press statement made available to journalists in Oyo state on Thursday regretted the loss of its members.
“The tragic deaths occurred within the space of 24 hours! It is indeed a sad week, and our eyes are still soaked in tears”,the release lamented. 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.
We appeal to the Oyo 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.
Although, the NMA did not mention the names of their departed colleagues but emphasised the need for others to be professionally conscious while discharging their duties.
Meanwhile, NMA Oyo commiserates with the families of our colleagues who lost their lives in the course of performing their professional duties to the service of humanity. May their gentle soul rest in peace