Remembering Dr Adadevoh

We join the rest of the world in remembering a great woman whose efforts saved Nigeria from an Ebola virus epidemic after it was first introduced here in 2014.

Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh correctly diagnosed patient zero (Patrick Sawyer) of the Ebola virus infection despite his insistence of "a bad case of malaria", she kept him in isolation despite diplomatic pressures from the Liberian govt to release him for a conference in Calabar, she created a quarantine area for the patient despite the lack of safety equipment and all the while Nigerian doctors were on strike at the time.

She educated staff about the virus, provided protective gear and quickly contacted relevant officials. As a result of her report, the Nigerian government declared a national public health emergency and the Nigerian Ministry of Health set up an Ebola Emergency Operations Center. 

WHO declared Nigeria to be Ebola-free on October 20, 2014.

Dr Adadevoh succumbed to the Ebola Virus Disease whilst in quarantine and passed away on the 19 August 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The film "93 Days" is dedicated to Dr Adadevoh and tells the story of the treatment of Patrick Sawyer by Adadevoh and other medical staff at First Consultant Medical Center.