The First Consultant Medical Center, where the
American-Liberian Patrick Sawyer was treated,
have released a press statement of all that went on
before the death of the Ebola victim.
In the interest of our patients, staff, the general
public the nation at large we state the following:
A 40-years old gentleman came into the hospital
with symptoms suggestive of Malaria (fever,
headache, extreme weakness) on Sunday night
(20th July 2014). He was fully conscious and gave
us his clinical history and told us he is a Senior
Diplomat from Liberia. Laboratory investigations
confirmed malaria whilst other test for HIV,
Hepatitis B&C were negative. He was admitted and
treatment commenced.
However, due to the fact that he was not
responding to treatment but rather was developing
haemorrhagic symptoms we further questioned
him. He denied having been in contact with any
persons with EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) at home, in
any hospital or at any burial.
In spite of this denial we immediately decided to do
the following:
1. To conduct further tests for possible
Infectious Haemorrhagic Disease, especially
EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE, based on the fact that
he was a Liberian citizen and the recent
outbreak of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE in that
country.
2. We immediately isolated/quarantined the
patient, commenced barrier nursing and
simultaneously contacted the Lagos State
Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry
of Health to enquire where further laboratory
tests could be performed as we had a high
index of suspicion of possible EBOLA VIRUS
DISEASE
3. WE REFUSED FOR HIM TO BE LET OUT OF
THE HOSPITAL IN SPITE OF INTENSE
PRESSURE, AS WE WERE TOLD THAT HE WAS
A SENIOR ECOWAS OFFICIAL AND HAD AN
IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AT THE ECOWAS
CONVENTION IN CALABAR, CROSS RIVER
STATE.
4. The initial test results from LUTH
laboratory indicated a signal of possible
EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE, but required
confirmation.
5. We then took the further step of reaching
out to Senior Officials in the office of the
Secretary of Health of the United States of
America who promptly assisted us with
contacts at the centres for Disease Control
(CDC) and World Health Organisation
Regional Laboratory Centre in Senegal.
6. Working jointly with the State, Federal
Agencies and International Agencies, we were
able to obtain confirmation of EBOLA VIRUS
DISEASE (ZAIRE STRAIN), (W.H.O. Regional
Center Lab-Senegal/Redeemes lab/LUTH
Laboratory)
7. The gentleman subsequently died on
Friday at a 6.50 (25th July, 2014)
8. All agencies were promptly notified and in
consultation with W.H.O, Regional EBOLA
VIRUS DISEASE Centre in Conakry, Guinea
and Best Practices, the following was
commenced:
a. Orderly temporarily shut down of the
hospital with immediate evacuation of in
house patients
b. The appropriate professional removal of
the body and its incineration under W.H.O.
guidelines, witnessed by all appropriate
agencies.
9. Having concluded the above, it is now
appropriate to give this press release in the
interest of our patient, staff, the general
public and the nation at large.
10. In keeping with W.H.O, guidelines,
hospital is shut down briefly as full
decontamination exercise is currently in
progress W.H.O. guidelines.
In conclusion, working with the STATE,
FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES,
we were able to identify and confirm the
diagnosis of the EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE. We
hope that by our action of preventing this
gentleman from being extracted from our
hospital and traveling to Calabar we have
been able to prevent the spread of EBOLA
VIRUS DISEASE in Nigeria.
The Board and Management of the Hospital
wish to thank all our staff members for their
diligence and professionalism.
