Doctor Ahmed Isaiah of General Hospital Garaku in Kokona Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State has died of Lassa fever.
The Nasarawa State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (MNA) Dr. Peter Attah, disclosed this in a procession by the association on Tuesday in Lafia.
He said that members of the association had a procession from the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia to the Nasarawa State Hospital Management Board.
The Nasarawa State NMA Chairman said the Doctor died as a result of hazard-related issues specifically Lassa fever.
He explained that the Doctor died on December 31, 2022, at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness.
“As an association, we got information when he was already dead, but from our investigation, the sickness started like a fever, but he kept working even when he was on treatment.
“While on call on December 24, he collapsed at the theater when carrying out surgery on a patient and his family had to rush him to the National Hospital for attention, but unfortunately we lost him”, Dr. Attah noted.
He further said that it was after the death of the Doctor that the sample taken came out and was found positive for Lassa Fever.
Attah lamented that the deceased had to go to work and carry out surgery even when he was sick because they were only two at the General Hospital Garaku.
“How can only two Doctors handle the entire LGA of over 150, 000 populations, and the workload is too much?
“The government should employ more doctors and introduce incentives to curtail brain drain in the state,” he added.
He said that the deceased who graduated just five years ago died in his prime and left behind a wife, children, and love once.
He also tasked the state government to increase the hazard allowances of doctors and commence the payment of call-to-duty allowances.
Addressing the association, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Egba Edogo, consoled the association over the death of their colleague who was a staff of the board.
He said the deceased was highly dedicated to his duty while alive and was good to those that worked with him.
He further said that the board is still shocked over the demise and prayed to God to give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss, forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.
The CMD said that even though the source of the Lassa fever on the deceased is not yet known, healthcare workers should have a high suspicious index on any patient and take precautionary measures when attending to them.
Dominica Nwabufo
