A medical doctor, Dominic Essien, has died on Thursday at Ibom Specialist Hospital after presenting symptoms of COVID-19.
Essien, according to a statement by state Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Nsikak Paul Nyoyoko, made available to newsmen in Uyo on Friday, was sick with a week’s history of fever,cough and shortness of breath which worsened on Thursday with his SPO2 as low as 72%, requiring him to be placed on oxygen at his clinic.
The NMA chief said he immediately called upon a member of the State COVID-19 Response Team to swing into action and the deceased colleague was later admitted into Ibom Specialist Hospital and managed by specialists in respiratory medicine.
“Dear Colleagues, as you’ve noticed in recent days, I send daily personal morning messages to check on all members I have on my contact list. This is to know if there’s a reason to be worried about any of us.
“Today, we all have a reason to be sad.
“I was called last night by a colleague who intimated me that one of our colleagues was sick with a week history of fever, cough and shortness of breath which worsened yesterday with his SPO2 as low as 72%, requiring him to be placed on oxygen at his clinic.
“I immediately called upon a member of the State COVID-19 Response Team to swing into action and somehow, later last night, our colleague was admitted into ISH and managed by specialists in respiratory medicine.
“With the sympoms elucidated above, a suspicion of COVID-19 was entertained and he had his sample taken today awaiting transportation to the laboratory for COVID-19 testing.
“Unfortunately, this revered Colleague of ours died mid afternoon today. Details of the case management are still sketchy as attempts to reach members of the incident Management Committee (IMC) were unsuccessful as they were out for a meeting.
“Dr Dominic Essien was a revered Colleague of many parts. He was a renowned Private Practitioner, a Physiotherapist and a Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, University of Uyo.
We have just lost a Friend, Colleague and a brother. Its been a sad day for us at NMA Akwa Ibom State but be rest assured that the lessons learnt from this tragic event would not pass in vain,” the statement read.
An unconfirmed report from the NMA forum also made available to our correspondent alleged that the late medical doctor was denied use of ventilator in his dying moments.
A medical doctor who reacted to this said:
“Now speculations are that he needed a ventilator but was denied. We want to know; Is it true he spent more than 6hours in Ibom Specialist Hospital? Who gave the order for the ventilator not to be used on Him? Who carried out the order of not using it? Is it true that in this profession you are strictly on your own? Are we co-wives in this medical profession?
“These few questions keep yearning for answers in my little head. Oh Dr. Dominic!
The late Dr Dominic Essien was a renowned Private Practitioner and owner of San Dominic Hospital, Ewet Housing and a Physiotherapist and a Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, University of Uyo.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT
