Lassa fever kills medical doctor in Nasarawa

Dr. Ahmed Isaiah, a medical professional from Nasarawa State, passed away from Lassa fever at the National Hospital in Abuja.

The doctor who passed away on December 31, 2022, was remembered in a procession Tuesday in Lafia by members of the Nigeria Medical Association in Nasarawa State.

Dr. Peter Attah, the state’s NMA chairman, verified that the deceased passed away as a result of health hazards, notably Lassa fever.

“As an association, we got information when he was already dead, but from our investigation, the sickness started like fever, but he kept working even when he was on treatment.

“While on call on December 24, 2022, he collapsed at the theatre while carrying out a surgery on a patient and his family had to rush him to the National Hospital, Abuja.

“Unfortunately, we lost him,’’ Attah said.

He added that a post-mortem confirmed that Dr Isaiah died of Lassa Fever.

Attah lamented that the deceased had to go to work and tried to carry out surgery on a patient even when he was sick, as there were only two medical personnel at the General Hospital, Garaku, Nasarawa State, at that time.

“How can only two doctors handle an entire local government area of more than 150,000 population? Obviously, the workload was too much.

“Government should employ more doctors and introduce incentives to curtail brain drain in the state,’’ he said.

Attah added that the deceased, who graduated five years ago, died in his prime and left behind a wife, children and loved ones.

The NMA chairman urged Nasarawa State government to also increase hazard allowances for doctors and should immediately begin the payment of call duty allowances.

Addressing the association, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital management board, Dr. Egba Edogo, consoled the association over the loss of Dr Isaiah, who was an employee of the board.

He noted that the deceased was highly dedicated to his duty while alive and was good to those that worked with him.

Edogo stated that the board was still in disbelief over Dr. Isaiah’s passing and prayed to God for his loved ones’ endurance, forgiving them of his faults, and granting him everlasting rest.

He continued by saying that the origin of the Lassa Fever was still unknown.

Edogo recommended medical professionals to be more vigilant in spotting potential patients and to use prudence when tending to them.

NAN