By; SAMSON YAKI, Lafia
A medical doctor at the General Hospital Garaku, Nasarawa State, Ahmed Isaiah has lost the battle to Lassa fever.
Isaiah who contracted the virus in the line of duty, died at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Nasarawa State, Dr. Peter Attah made this known in Lafia on Tuesday, during a procession by members of the association, stating that the doctor died as a result of hazard related issues, specifically 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, he collapsed at the theater when carrying out a surgery on a patient and his family had to rush him to the National Hospital, Abuja for attention, but unfortunately we lost him,” he added.
Attah lamented that it was after the death of the doctor that the sample taken came out and was found positive of Lassa Fever.
“The deceased had to go to work and carry out a surgery even when he was sick because they were only two at the General Hospital, Garaku.
“How can only two doctors handle the entire LGA of over 150,000 population? The work load is too much.
“The government should employ more doctors and introduce incentives to curtail brain drain in the state,” he lamented further.
He said that the deceased who graduated just five years ago, died in his prime and left behind wife, children and loved ones.
He also tasked the state government to increase hazard allowances of doctors and commence the payment of call to duty allowances.
The members of the association had a procession from the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia to the Nasarawa State Hospital Management Board, where they were addressed by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Board, Egba Edego.
Edego who expressed condolences to members of the association over the death of their colleague, described the deceased as a dedicated staff while alive.
