By Nihinlolawa Akanke
The Coronavirus pandemic has claimed its first health worker in Nigeria. He was identified as Dr Emeka Chugbo, a Lagos private hospital worker.
The late Dr Chugbo, who reportedly died today had allegedly managed a COVID-19 patient who later died on April 3.
Dr Chugbo was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where he died. He was a staff of the hospital before joining the private sector.
The Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode confirming the death to THIS DAY newspaper, said Dr Chugbo “was not a staff of the hospital but was rushed to the facility after he showed severe signs of the disease.
“He was brought in late, so there wasn’t much we could do. He was a staff in LUTH years back before he went to join the private sector. We learnt he had COVID-19 patients in his facility that he has been treating. He may have been exposed to the virus from there.
“His death has shown what health workers are exposed to in the course of treating COVID-19 patients. Our hearts are with his family in this trying time. It is a sad development for us.”
The late doctor was a Vice President of the Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH, while he worked there. He did his residency training at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department in the teaching hospital.
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