SwaGUnLimiTeD:
WTF! Are we supposed to read all that

Ishilove:

Cc hopeFuLlandlord

Hozier:
For how long have you been waiting to do this?

zoogy2007:
So why did patient Zero die when she did not have Lassa Fever?

Ishilove:
I won't exactly call Nigeria a shithole for this particular reason, because Lagos was able to effectively contain the ebola virus whose spread would have been catastrophic. The state where this happened is the shithole. Those in authority probably squandered the funds meant the facilities and equipment.

twentyk:
In my 24 years of life I can't remember the last Naija match I have missed..... Im so in love with this country that I do tell my friends I'd rather die here than go sweep or do menial jobs abroad....
I believe im patriotic enough in my own little way... I always support naija no matter what, I dump mtn for glo, I always look forward to naija news anywhere.... Im a man utd fan for life but if "yakubu or moses or any naija player score against my team, in a funny and weird way I'm always happy....
I voted for president Muhammad Buhari because I believed things will change, I want things to change so badly that I bought into the change mantra and even managed to influence my friends, hostel mates etc to vote..... But now I have rather been disappointed in naija.... Im not interested or use to believe things will get better anymore....
Everybody is feeling the heat, went to the zanga 3 days ago to light up, and strangely everybody been talking about Buhari, everybody is talking hardship, everywhere smells of poverty and hopelessness...
OP's post today just made me feel bad about my dear country... Don't know much about doctors or hospital but from what I have seen in the movies(Yankee) I know the kinda step the CDC would have taken in such situation ...infact maybe the original patients could have been saved..... But here what is the life of one patients when fulani herdsman could kill 72 and nothing dey happen.....
I'm sad and disappointed in NIGERIA I swear...

Leopantro:
REJECTED BY THE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Before I left, I had contacted the Public Health department again, to let them in on the new development, and the fact that we should seriously start making plans of tracing other people that patient zero may have contacted, and exposed unknowingly. Stupid me! But that's how I am wired; I am never really the type who looks out for himself alone.
The Department of Public Health gave me a contact to call in the Teaching Hospital, and convinced me not to embark on a 9 hour journey to Irrua, since I was sick and unstable, and they have an infection control unit in the Teaching Hospital that is well equipped to handle the case. I called the contact, and he said that they've been informed, and that they are READY and waiting for me. By being "ready," they meant Ribavirin, PPEs, and all that. So, I took a detour, and embarked on a 2 hour journey to the Teaching Hospital instead.
When I got there, I got a cold reception. I was kept in the ambulance for 2 hours, from 6.30pm to around 8.45pm, on the pretext that they were "looking for the keys to the isolation ward." I was left out there unattended to, sick, tired from a long journey, and apprehensive. My friends were calling, yelling that I should leave and start going to Irrua. But I reasoned it was already late, and I didn't want to take that risk.
At around 9pm, they finally "found the keys," and I was taken to an isolation ward, in a huge deserted complex.
After one hour of waiting, and of having the clinical staff peer at me through the window, like I was some alien; someone fully kitted with a PPE, came in to see me.
After asking a few questions, he told me outrightly that I was on my own. That the PPE he was wearing was the last in the hospital, and that no one would agree to touch me without it. He went further to say that as it stood then, neither him, nor the hospital, was "officially aware" that I was in there. Talk about "plausible deniability!"
I was shocked to the marrow. The irony of it-- the fact that I risked my own life to take care of someone I didn't know, who wasn't even from the same state as me, without PPEs, and in a Community Hospital, in a remote village! And right there were people, who were meant to be my professional colleagues, my "Hippocratic" and "Nightingalean" brethren, working in a tertiary institution-- supposedly the most equipped hospital in the state, and yet they couldn't do same for me.
I wasn't mad at them though, as I realized that they were as much victims of a shitty system, as I was; for in their eyes, I saw pity, empathy, and shame. Perhaps if they had PPEs they would have done something. Perhaps not. Truth is, we'll never know.
" Okay," I said; "now that you're still wearing PPE, can you at least help me site an IV line, and put me on IV fluids?"
No, can't do; you're not on admission, and like I said, the hospital is not "aware" you're here.
<p> " What of Ribvirin; can I get it and start treating myself?"</p>
No, we can't give you that; we can't give you drugs without a definitive diagnosis.
"Excuse me? You're saying that in the setting of a potentially life-threatening ailment, you'd rather wait for a confirmatory diagnosis that may take days, possibly risking the patient's life, instead of starting life-saving treatment?"
And he said something I considered condescending about the drugs having numerous side effects.
I scoffed. Drug side effects my foot! As if we were not taught about what to do when benefits outweighs risk in medical school.
At this point, there was no need engaging further; it was obvious this people were playing "political correctness" with my life.
Before they left, they said I should continue self-medicating with the ORS and Zinc, that I CAME WITH, to stay hydrated; and that I should be monitoring MY OWN vital signs, and let them know if "something" happens. Right; like if I enter into shock, my ghost would pick up my phone and start making calls, abi?
That was how I was left ALONE in a vast one storey complex, sick, with a thousand thoughts running through my head.
At around 11pm, I decided it was best to check myself out, and go to find a hotel, spend the night, and then continue my journey to Irrua the following day. And no, I didn't care if I was going to be putting the hotel staff at risk; whatever selflessness, and misguided sense of patriotism, I had died in that Hospital where I was left to my fate. If their government didn't care enough to protect them, even when I had tried to make it easier for them, why should I care? Besides, if I was dying, I would rather spend the remaining of my days in luxury, and comfort, and not in a deserted building where my only companions would be my thoughts, and the elements.


Old habits die hard. As I went to that hotel room, I still went with Dettol, and Jik, and made sure I was washing my hands regularly, to minimize the risk of putting anyone at risk. Lol. Stupid me.

FENDING FOR MYSELF: TRIP TO IRRUA

The following morning, we set out for Irrua as early as 6.30 am. It was a long journey that took about 9 hours.
Through out the journey, I was receiving calls, and prayers, from friends, family, and well wishers. They made me feel loved; they made me feel there was good in humanity after all; and that whatever I had done was well worth it.
We arrived at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital at exactly 3.30pm. The first thing I did was to report myself to the Lassa Fever Centre, and have them look for patient Zero's result. It happened that they hadn't even started running the sample, as they were overwhelmed with samples from all over the country.
However, they were humane enough to understand my predicament, and the urgency it required. So, they made it a priority, and included it in the next batch of samples to be run.

THE LONG WAIT
I waited for long for that result. At a point, it was obvious that it was going to be a long wait, so I went and booked myself a hotel room. A consultant in the centre had earlier advised that it may be imprudent to admit me at that time, risking further exposure. Since I was no longer having diarrhea, vomiting, and fever,AT THAT TIME, he said we should wait for the results of patient zero first.
By 10pm, I was still seated outside the lab, waiting. Finally, the door opened, and they told me that they had made a mistake while running the sample, and would have to redo the test. Exhausted and drained, both emotionally and physically, I decided I couldn't wait any longer. So, I went to my hotel room, switched off my phones, and dozed off.

A HAPPY ENDING

The following morning, at around 7.30 am, the lab called me: patient zero's result was negative. And I heaved a sigh of relief. The first thing I did was to call my friends, and family-- beautiful set of people, who had been more worried than I was, and tell them that the battle was over.
On my way back home, I got sick again. So, when I got home, I ran some tests, and it happened what I had was Sepsis, and Malaria with a very high parasite density.
I'm on drugs now, and recuperating fine. And yes, I'm also on sick leave, even though I've been reviewing cases brought to me by my junior colleague on my sick bed
. Yea, they can't take that away from me: love for what I do!
It feels like I have been given a second chance. A chance, not just to live, but also to see more clearly, and realize that this country isn't worth it. Oh well, let's just get well first .....


https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1348158461955175&id=100002831036954&comment_id=1348210698616618&ref=opera_speed_dial&_rdr

Ishilove:

Cc hopeFuLlandlord

MARKETfund:
A harrowing experience told in a beautiful write up.

Thank God for sparing your life bro.

Sometimes two years ago out of curiosity I took a course on diseases and epidemics in coursera.com (actually got a certificate from Pittsburgh university at the conclusion of the program).

The gist is that I noticed a carefully lead down procedures for arresting infectious diseases in the hospital before it becomes an epidemic or even when there is pandemic. There are several bodies set up in the United States starting from what you may call local government Areas, to states, to federal level. All linked in chains of communication, all responsive team.

It is really disappointing reading this knowing that we have at least a semblance of those bodies in this country but either without knowing their job functions or lacking the work tools. It is that bad.

PS: The Dr. might consider writing as past time

laudate:
[/b][b]

Gbam!! You just hit da nail on da head! In the health sector in general within Nigeria, I doubt if there is a carefully laid down set of procedures, for arresting infectious diseases and epidemics. If such procedures do exist, they must have been filed away somewhere gathering dust, or locked up in a cabinet by some clueless idjiot who has thrown away the key.

Such procedures need to be cascaded down the line within the health system, and repeated regularly like fire drills, so that everyone knows what to do if such situations arise. The right tools and equipment also need to be made available at every step of the way, to carry out the functions that need to be done!

That is why I am saying this issue must NOT be swept under the carpet. It needs to go viral. It needs to be shared, retweeted, and repeated until it gets to those in authority, either at the executive level or to those in the green and red chamber. The Minister of Health must be summoned to answer some really tough questions, on why patients suspected to have Lassa fever or medical staff who attend to them, never get the right kind of care and treatment that could have prevented their condition from getting worse, or were even denied the prompt attention which could have prevented their death. In other countries, it is called an inquest.

An inquest needs to be done in Dr. Chinedum's case, and those who failed him and so many others like him, need to be severely sanctioned!

I endorse your submission bro.

I figured you are a health worker. If you are not, you can still expand your knowledge of the health sector through the site (www.coursera.org)
You can do any programme you fancy free of charge by applying for Financial aid under enrollment. That is after you might have signed up with them. You can get a certificate even from John Hopkins University. And the duration of the programme depends on you(you can even finish a course within a week or two).

Namaste!

MARKETfund:
I endorse your submission bro.

I figured you are a health worker. If you are not, you can still expand your knowledge of the health sector through the site (www.coursera.org)
You can do any programme you fancy free of charge by applying for Financial aid under enrollment. That is after you might have signed up with them. You can get a certificate even from John Hopkins University. And the duration of the programme depends on you(you can even finish a course within a week or two).

Namaste!

laudate:


I am not a health worker, but I take interest in health-related issues. Thank you for the info ! Much appreciated.

Leopantro:
REJECTED BY THE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Before I left, I had contacted the Public Health department again, to let them in on the new development, and the fact that we should seriously start making plans of tracing other people that patient zero may have contacted, and exposed unknowingly. Stupid me! But that's how I am wired; I am never really the type who looks out for himself alone.
The Department of Public Health gave me a contact to call in the Teaching Hospital, and convinced me not to embark on a 9 hour journey to Irrua, since I was sick and unstable, and they have an infection control unit in the Teaching Hospital that is well equipped to handle the case. I called the contact, and he said that they've been informed, and that they are READY and waiting for me. By being "ready," they meant Ribavirin, PPEs, and all that. So, I took a detour, and embarked on a 2 hour journey to the Teaching Hospital instead.
When I got there, I got a cold reception. I was kept in the ambulance for 2 hours, from 6.30pm to around 8.45pm, on the pretext that they were "looking for the keys to the isolation ward." I was left out there unattended to, sick, tired from a long journey, and apprehensive. My friends were calling, yelling that I should leave and start going to Irrua. But I reasoned it was already late, and I didn't want to take that risk.
At around 9pm, they finally "found the keys," and I was taken to an isolation ward, in a huge deserted complex.
After one hour of waiting, and of having the clinical staff peer at me through the window, like I was some alien; someone fully kitted with a PPE, came in to see me.
After asking a few questions, he told me outrightly that I was on my own. That the PPE he was wearing was the last in the hospital, and that no one would agree to touch me without it. He went further to say that as it stood then, neither him, nor the hospital, was "officially aware" that I was in there. Talk about "plausible deniability!"
I was shocked to the marrow. The irony of it-- the fact that I risked my own life to take care of someone I didn't know, who wasn't even from the same state as me, without PPEs, and in a Community Hospital, in a remote village! And right there were people, who were meant to be my professional colleagues, my "Hippocratic" and "Nightingalean" brethren, working in a tertiary institution-- supposedly the most equipped hospital in the state, and yet they couldn't do same for me.
I wasn't mad at them though, as I realized that they were as much victims of a shitty system, as I was; for in their eyes, I saw pity, empathy, and shame. Perhaps if they had PPEs they would have done something. Perhaps not. Truth is, we'll never know.
" Okay," I said; "now that you're still wearing PPE, can you at least help me site an IV line, and put me on IV fluids?"
No, can't do; you're not on admission, and like I said, the hospital is not "aware" you're here.
<p> " What of Ribvirin; can I get it and start treating myself?"</p>
No, we can't give you that; we can't give you drugs without a definitive diagnosis.
"Excuse me? You're saying that in the setting of a potentially life-threatening ailment, you'd rather wait for a confirmatory diagnosis that may take days, possibly risking the patient's life, instead of starting life-saving treatment?"
And he said something I considered condescending about the drugs having numerous side effects.
I scoffed. Drug side effects my foot! As if we were not taught about what to do when benefits outweighs risk in medical school.
At this point, there was no need engaging further; it was obvious this people were playing "political correctness" with my life.
Before they left, they said I should continue self-medicating with the ORS and Zinc, that I CAME WITH, to stay hydrated; and that I should be monitoring MY OWN vital signs, and let them know if "something" happens. Right; like if I enter into shock, my ghost would pick up my phone and start making calls, abi?
That was how I was left ALONE in a vast one storey complex, sick, with a thousand thoughts running through my head.
At around 11pm, I decided it was best to check myself out, and go to find a hotel, spend the night, and then continue my journey to Irrua the following day. And no, I didn't care if I was going to be putting the hotel staff at risk; whatever selflessness, and misguided sense of patriotism, I had died in that Hospital where I was left to my fate. If their government didn't care enough to protect them, even when I had tried to make it easier for them, why should I care? Besides, if I was dying, I would rather spend the remaining of my days in luxury, and comfort, and not in a deserted building where my only companions would be my thoughts, and the elements.


Old habits die hard. As I went to that hotel room, I still went with Dettol, and Jik, and made sure I was washing my hands regularly, to minimize the risk of putting anyone at risk. Lol. Stupid me.

FENDING FOR MYSELF: TRIP TO IRRUA

The following morning, we set out for Irrua as early as 6.30 am. It was a long journey that took about 9 hours.
Through out the journey, I was receiving calls, and prayers, from friends, family, and well wishers. They made me feel loved; they made me feel there was good in humanity after all; and that whatever I had done was well worth it.
We arrived at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital at exactly 3.30pm. The first thing I did was to report myself to the Lassa Fever Centre, and have them look for patient Zero's result. It happened that they hadn't even started running the sample, as they were overwhelmed with samples from all over the country.
However, they were humane enough to understand my predicament, and the urgency it required. So, they made it a priority, and included it in the next batch of samples to be run.

THE LONG WAIT
I waited for long for that result. At a point, it was obvious that it was going to be a long wait, so I went and booked myself a hotel room. A consultant in the centre had earlier advised that it may be imprudent to admit me at that time, risking further exposure. Since I was no longer having diarrhea, vomiting, and fever,AT THAT TIME, he said we should wait for the results of patient zero first.
By 10pm, I was still seated outside the lab, waiting. Finally, the door opened, and they told me that they had made a mistake while running the sample, and would have to redo the test. Exhausted and drained, both emotionally and physically, I decided I couldn't wait any longer. So, I went to my hotel room, switched off my phones, and dozed off.

A HAPPY ENDING

The following morning, at around 7.30 am, the lab called me: patient zero's result was negative. And I heaved a sigh of relief. The first thing I did was to call my friends, and family-- beautiful set of people, who had been more worried than I was, and tell them that the battle was over.
On my way back home, I got sick again. So, when I got home, I ran some tests, and it happened what I had was Sepsis, and Malaria with a very high parasite density.
I'm on drugs now, and recuperating fine. And yes, I'm also on sick leave, even though I've been reviewing cases brought to me by my junior colleague on my sick bed
. Yea, they can't take that away from me: love for what I do!
It feels like I have been given a second chance. A chance, not just to live, but also to see more clearly, and realize that this country isn't worth it. Oh well, let's just get well first .....


https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1348158461955175&id=100002831036954&comment_id=1348210698616618&ref=opera_speed_dial&_rdr