Health
Emotions ran high as Lagos State government discharged five coronavirus (COVID-19) patients at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC), Yaba Mainland Hospital. Of the five people discharged, two are foreigners while three are Nigerians.
This has brought the total number of treated and discharged patients of the pandemic to eight. For the discharged patients, it was difficult they had been afflicted with the dreaded COVID-19. Despite being quarantined at the isolation centre for many weeks, they looked hale and hearty, calm and unruffled. They expressed joy that they did not succumb to the disease. All the treated patients, who pleaded anonymity due for fear of being stigmatised, expressed joy and satisfaction over the treatment they received.
They commended Lagos State government for rescuing them from the jaws of death. They, however, appealed to the state government and the Federal Government to consider life insurance for the staff of the IDC who put their lives on the line to treat patients. They thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support and for being proactive in handling COVID- 19 cases. “I came in here on March 15 and after the test showed positive, I was asked to come back the next day. So I was admitted here. “Initially, there were hitches, but it later turned out fine. The health workers did fine. All our challenges were attended to.
I and my colleagues are living witnesses,” one of them said. According to him, Nigeria has what it takes to overcome the pandemic. The man also called on the people to come out from hiding if they test positive to the virus, saying that the virus could be defeated. He added: “We can beat it. I want to assure others that this is not their resting place. Encourage yourselves, take your medications and in no distant time, you will get out of here.” Another of the discharged patients allayed fear over being infected with the virus. According to him, testing positive to the virus doesn’t connote life sentence. He said: “I want to appeal to the Federal Government and Lagos State government to remunerate all those workers who have volunteered to work accordingly, to encourage others.
If they are not here as first responders, many would have died.” Recalling his experience, another patient said it was necessary to insure the lives of workers at the centre because of the nature of infectious diseases they handle. He said: “I was admitted last Sunday. Initially, there were challenges. But the following day, they brought bed, mask and some equipment.
“Apart from what my colleague said, the workers should be insured. Proper insurance will let people do what they have to do.” He recalled a situation where the workers could not attend to him because he tested positive.
He said: “They went back and I slept off; I woke up about 3a.m. So they deserve life insurance to encourage them to do their job.” A lady, Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, on twitter yesterday claimed she has recovered from Coronavirus. She tweeted: “Today, I am proud to inform you that I murdered COVID-19 and have tested negative twice! I have been discharged! “I bless God for His mercies. The nurses at IDH Yaba were fab. They deserve accolades for their hard work. “Thank you Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming to see me.” Governor Sanwo-Olu has received the news of the full recovery of the five patients with excitement. The governor, in a short message, reassured Lagosians that the government is doing all within her powers to curtail the spread of the virus so that life could return to normal. He said: “We are very excited to hear that five of our citizens in the isolation centre have regained full recovery. It is another pointer to us that with a concerted effort, we can defeat the coronavirus in Lagos and Nigeria.” – New Telegraph
– Mar. 31, 2020 @ 8:29 GMT |
Tags: COVID-19: We’re happy to be alive – discharged patients
