Ilorin
The Chief Medical Director, CMD of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, Professor Abdul Dasilva Yusuff has expressed concern over the seeming impasse between the institution and Kwara state government.
Yusuff, in a news briefing in Ilorin said: “We were fed with the information of a suspected food poisoning as the cause of the death of the patient until we got another lead to the likely cause of the death of the said patient.
“In fact, it was shocking to us that the wife of the deceased patient had tested positive for the deadly virus as announced yesterday by the kwara State Covid-19 Technical committee.
The CMD explained that all UITH staff who had close contact with the deceased patient on the night of his admission, or his corpse had been ordered to proceed on self isolation.
He added that the Accident and Emergency, ‘A and E’ ward as well as the ambulance used to convey his corpse to Offa had been promptly fumigated.
“The Management of the Hospital has placed Prof. A. K. Salami a Senior Consultant in this hospital,on immediate suspension bordering on his unethical conduct in the admission, management and eventual release of the corpse of the suspected Covid -19 patient,”he said.
Duaglobalnews gathered that the deceased, a London returnee, died in the hospital on April 2, 2020.
He explained that the hospital had taken all necessary precautions against COVID 19 pandemic, adding that it was also on guard according to directives from the Federal Ministry of Health.
The CMD said he adding that he was taken aback to discover how a very Senior Consultant of his hospital had involved in such unprofessional conduct.
Yusuff added, “Gentlemen of the press, it is with a serious concern that I am addressing you this morning over the recent happenings at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).
“This follows the death on Thursday, April 2nd 2020, of a suspected COVID-19 patient some few hours on admission at the Accident and Emergency wing of the hospital.
“As you are all aware, this is not the best of time for our dear nation and indeed the entire world over the rampaging pandemic disease, COVID-19.
The disease, which first broke out in China some few months ago had since ravaged countless number of countries of the world- Nigeria not being an exception.
“Following directives from the Federal Ministry of Health, we swang into immediate actions by upgrading our isolation centre with necessary facilities and retraining of our staff for any envisaged emergencies.
“Refresher courses were organized for all categories of staff of the UITH, to braze them up for the greatest challenges threatening human existence, at least in the modern world.
“Besides, the number of staff reporting to work was reduced, in line with strict compliance to the World Health Organization (WHO) directive on Social Distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Synergies were built with other healthcare givers/ stakeholders across the state in readiness for any eventuality.”
Yusuff also hinted that the UITH management had constituted a Medical Investigation Committee on the COVID-19 Suspected Case headed by Professor E.O. Afolayan to investigate all that happened in the controversial medical scenario.
According to the CMD, the committee terms of reference include:
“Investigate the allegations of the CONVID-19 Suspected case that died on April, 2nd, 2020 that was brought in by a relative who is also a member of staff (Professor A.K. Salami),
“Investigate the process of admission, management and eventual release of the corpse,
“Investigate motives behind the concealment of accurate information provided by the patient’s relative
“ Determine culpability of the patient’s relative involved,
“Make appropriate recommendations to forestall future recurrence of the act.
The Committee is to submit its report within a week from the date of its first sitting.
Members of the committee are Professor B.S. Alabi, Professor (Mrs) G.F. Adepoju who is the Chairperson, Ethical Committee of the hospital, Mrs I.A. Akosile, Deputy Director (Legal), Professor G.K. Oshagbemi, Dr L.J. Olosunde, who is the local President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD).
Other members are;Mr O.A. Olatunde, Chairman, UITH branch of JOHESU, Mr G.E. Salami, Chairman, NANNM, UITH and Mrs O.O. Olubolaji who will serve as the Secretary of the high powered body.
The online medium recalls that the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 confirmed two separate cases of COVID-19 in the state. One is the wife of the UITH patient, a UK returnee, who died last Thursday and the other is another UK returnee.