Lassa fever scare: No such record – FMC Umuahia

The Federal Medical Centre, FMC Umuahia has come out to deny any incidence of the dreaded Lassa fever in the centre as speculated in different quarters in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Umuahia, the Public Relations officer of the centre, Mr. Darlington Chikezie Madubuko said the rumour “is farfetched. There is no truth in the rumour and there is no case of Lassa fever in this centre”.

Contacting the hospitals Head Doctor of Accident and Emergency, (A&E), Dr. Ugochukwu Onyeonoro on his speaker phone, the doctor confirmed that there was no incidence of Lassa fever at the hospital, and so far no record of it.

Madubuko, who confirmed that there is a standing committee on Lassa fever based on what happens around neighbouring states like Imo and Ebonyi over Lassa fever, stated that the hospital has trained doctors, nurses and other staff over such cases, stating that they are therefore careful and thorough with all cases before examination of the patient.

“Mere taking precaution does not mean existence of Lassa fever. Our doctors, nurses, and other staff take precaution and are trained in that regard.

“On the committee, we don’t have to wait before first encounter with a victim. FMC has a committee for that as a reputable hospital with patients’ turnover of over 140,000 every month”.

Efforts to reach Dr. Onyeonoro, the Head, A&E at the Community Nursing unit of the centre and the head of the committee was not fruitful as they were not in the hospital when newsmen arrived.

In a radio announcement later, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukanna allayed the fears by stating that there is no reported case of the scourge in the state.

Unconfirmed reports had it that last weekend, a case was recorded that sent panic across the staff of the hospital, stating that the patient had died.

By Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia