Teaching Hospital Allays Fear Over Lassa Fever

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, Dr Lawrence Ikeako, says there is no need for panic at the facility over Lassa fever.
Ikeako told newsmen in Awka recently, that a suspected patient was admitted on June 11, but had been transferred to the General Hospital lrua, Edo, which had facilities to manage such cases.
Residents and other patients at the hospital got scared when a lady patient who was suspected to be a victim of Lassa fever was brought to the facility.
Reacting to the development, the CMD said officials of the state Ministry of Health had moved the patient to Irua for confirmation and management.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that we had a case like that but the patient had been transferred by the Ministry of Health to Irua where the Federal Government set up as a centre for it.
“As a matter of fact the case wasn’t confirmed here, it was in lrua that the confirmation was done.
“The good news is that we had professionals who managed the situation very carefully and professionally,” he said.
On the protest against increased cost of medical services at the teaching hospital, Ikeako said management had met with government and reverted to the normal rates.
He said the hike was to reflect the increasing general price level and keep the outfit afloat but was suspended due to outcry of patients.
However, the CMD blamed the fuss over the increase to politicians who wished to play cheap politics.
“As we are talking now there is no increase in the cost of our services; we suspended the review after meeting with government but some people just want to play cheap politics with it.
“There is increase in the cost of what we provide here, we pay about a Nl million on electricity we are not supplied and powering our generators round the clock takes another Nl.3 to Nl.S million monthly.
“What we are now pleading is that government should increase subvention to the hospital to enable us cover cost and also the federal government to increase energy supply to the country,” he said.

 Chimezie Anaso