Update On The Actual Situation At The University Of Benin Teaching Hospital

Source: HIC (Healthinfocorner.com)

As at today (06-04-2020), a total number of 9 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Edo State.

Reacting to a report from an independent blog which mentioned that around 25 doctors from the University Of Benin Teaching Hospital are currently on self-isolation due to their contact with a COVID-19 patient at the hospital (https://bit.ly/3aHtYC5).

The NANNM Chairman explained that it’s an international protocol in line with the National Center for disease control guideline for persons who come in contact with COVID-19 patients to go on self-isolation for a period of 14 days: Which is the peak incubation period for manifestation of symptoms of Coronavirus.

Comrade Augustine Osigbeme who is a member of the Hospital COVID-19 rapid response team and also the NANNM Chairman in UBTH further explained to us that they currently have 2 confirmed COVID 19 patients in UBTH, as the third one died due to an underlying medical issue.

When asked for the total number of nurses that came in contact with the patients, he explained contact tracing has been carried out by the rapid response team and a total of 75 health workers including nurses have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days from 30th of March when they came in contact with the index patient at the teaching hospital.

He further explained that they had two cases of suspected COVID 19 as at 30th March, 2020 and sample of both patients were sent to ISTH for testing. One of the patients died the same day before the result of the test came out.

On the 2nd of April 2020, the result came out and was negative, the remaining patient was moved back to the medical ward. A second report came later in the evening of that same day confirming that the patient tested +ve to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, some of our nurses working in that ward have already exposed themselves to this patients. The patient was then immediately moved back to the isolation unit and his condition is stable and he is improving.

On the 3rd of April 2020, another COVID patient was admitted into the isolation unit making a total of two cases of COVID 19.

He further call on well-meaning individuals and organizations around the world to help support the nurses at the University of Benin teaching hospital with appropriate PPEs as it will go a long way in improving the efficiency of the service they render to their patients during this period. He further confirmed that the hospital has some PPE, but they have been designated for healthcare workers at the isolation unit of the teaching hospital.

In his closing speech, he emphasized the need for this issue to be taken more seriously by every individual , the government at all levels together with all critical stakeholders most especially in the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment and proper remuneration of nurses who are the first point of contact in the hospital. He also advised the federal government to pay the long overdue withheld March and April salary of nurses since 2018 as a motivation.

“Please, help the nurse to help the patients, don’t forget that there are non-Corona virus infected patients in the hospital. We value the life of our nurses.

They have families and they should be protected by all. Nurses are ready to work but with adequate protection.

Compiled by: Princewill Aghedo