There is currently a state of disarray among residents of Ibadan, especially the environs of a private Hospital, Lafia Hospital, Apata as the Oyo State government allegedly shut the hospital over a Covid-19 case.
It was allegedly reported that the CMD of the Hospital had been infected with the deadly Coronavirus after attending to one suspected Covid-19 patient who later tested positive to the virus after his death which was announced few days ago by the Oyo State Covid-19 Taskforce.
It was also alleged that the confusion arose because the government allegedly sealed off the hospital for illegally treating a suspected Covid-19 patient who was later transfered to the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan after complications arose.
The suspected COVID-19 patient was reported to have died at UCH from Covid-19 complications due to an underlying condition. His result allegedly came back positive for Covid-19 after his demise and this was what the state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde announced on his Twitter page as the first COVID-19 death in the state. In a press release signed by the management of the hospital, it was quoted;
“On Monday the 20th April 2020, a 55 year old known patient with hypertension and DM presented in our hospital having earlier attended about 3 undisclosed private hospitals for typhoid and malaria fever without improvement.
He was examined by the doctor on call who requested for X-ray. On Tuesday 21st April he brought the report which was reviewed by the Consultant who suspected covid-19. It was at the point of contacting the NCDC that the daughter of the patient confessed that his father has been tested for covid -19. He was immediately referred to UCH. On Tuesday 21st April 2020 the covid test came positive and patient was reported dead on Wednesday 22nd April 2020.
All members of staff who had contact with the patient has been tested for covid-19.
Our facility was visited by the task force on NCDC on Thursday 23rd April . Even though not prompted by NCDC to close, the facility is currently closed off for decontamination of the building and our services remains suspended for 14 days.
The safety of our staff and our patients is of paramount importance to us.
All other members of our staff will also undergo covid-19 test.”
