Front view of the hospital
One of the deadliest diseases, said to be even deadlier than Ebola and COVID-19, is now prevalent at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.
NewsBits reports that Diphtheria is the disease that has reportedly claimed many lives since its outbreak in the last few days. The general public and relations are being encouraged by Staff and medical workers to keep a safe distance from the hospital for the meantime.
Reports claimed that an 11-year-old girl who was brought from the Northern region of Nigeria to the hospital reportedly passed away days later, and many others were said to have joined their ancestors, which occasioned the rumoured fear that the spirit of death is lurking around the hospital.
It was learnt that Diphtheria has been killing many people in the northern part of Nigeria, particularly Kaduna and Katsina, from where patients are being brought to UNTH because hospitals in the Northern region are said to be unable to contain the prevalence. One medical student of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNTH), who claimed to be on posting to the hospital, said that they have been protected against the deadly disease with protective gear such as face and nose masks and others.
“The thing came to light about a week ago. They gave us protective gear against the disease. It is more deadly than COVID-19,” a student said.
Confirming the incident, Dr. Charles Nonyelum, the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), acknowledged the presence of the disease but said that they were equipped to grapple with the situation and called on the general public to be calm and not to panic.
In a statement tagged, CALL FOR CALM AND CAUTION FOLLOWING A SUSPECTED CASE OF DIPHTHERIA AT UNTH, Nonyelum had this to say:
“The Management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, wishes to reassure members of the public, patients, staff and visitors following the recent management of a clinically suspected case of diphtheria at the Children’s Emergency Room (CHER) of the Hospital.
“The patient was managed appropriately; however, regrettably, the patient passed away two days after admission despite the efforts of the attending medical team.
“A subsequent post-mortem review has raised the possibility that the clinical presentation may have been due to pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate, rather than diphtheria.
“Nevertheless, in the interest of public safety and as a precautionary measure, contact tracing is ongoing to identify and monitor anyone who may have had close contact with the patient. The Hospital has also carried out the necessary decontamination of the Children’s Emergency Room, in line with established infection prevention and control measures.
“Management wishes to emphasize that sporadic cases of diphtheria have been managed successfully at UNTH in the past. The Hospital has the requisite expertise and facilities to manage such cases, and there is therefore no cause for unnecessary panic or alarm.
“In view of the ongoing diphtheria situation in the country, members of the public are, however, encouraged to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with symptoms that may include fever, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing. Anyone who develops such symptoms is advised to seek prompt medical attention.
“Management further calls on all staff, patients, visitors and members of the public to continue to observe standard infection prevention and control precautions as they go about their normal activities. The Management of UNTH remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of its patients, staff and the general public and will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard public health.
“We urge everyone to remain calm, vigilant and guided by verified information,” the CMAC boss intimated. However, those who witnessed the deaths at the hospital sent voice notes to the general public to shun UNTH for now and seek the services of other hospitals until the coast is clear.
