Our stories, by five Ebola survivors

Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola on Thursday played host to some survivors of the Ebola Virus Disease at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

He commended them for their boldness in coming forward as this was a good step in fighting possible stigmatisation over the vicious virus.

The survivors, who can no longer be re-infected with the virus having developed the anti-bodies, shared their stories with the governor.

Dr. Ibeabuchi Morris: Sawyer didn’t tell me he collapsed at the airport

Dr. Ibeabuchi Morris of the First Consultants Hospital said he was the first to receive the index case, Patrick Sawyer, into the hospital.

He said Sawyer did not disclose that he collapsed at the airport in Lagos, and he was initially treated of malaria.

“After the patient continued to manifest high temperature, I took the blood sample and sent it to the laboratory, then contacted Dr. Stella Adadevoh who advised me to continue attending to the patient pending the arrival of the test result. When the blood test result arrived it was confirmed that he was EVD positive leading to his death a few days later,” Morris said.

“I started manifesting symptoms of the disease 12 days later as my body temperature continued to rise beyond 38.5 degrees Celsius. When my condition continued to degenerate, I reported to the Lagos State Ministry of Health and was advised to restrict my contact with members of his family.

“My body temperature got to an all-time high of over 40 degrees at which point the medical team from Lagos State came and took me to the isolation centre after decontaminating my house.”

Dr Adaora Igonoh: Staff paid the sacrifice

Dr. Igonoh, a doctor with the First Consultants Hospital, was the one who certified Sawyer dead after she found him slumped in the toilet.

“I want to commend the hospital and the staff for the risk they took to ensure that the disease did not spread beyond the limit it did. I pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the process. Without their sacrifice, the story would probably have been different.”

Dennis Akagha: Fiance of Justine Ajelonu, a nurse who died

“I got to hear about Justina’s contact with Sawyer when the death of the Liberian was announced on television. She confirmed to me that she treated the victim. Justina started work a day after Sawyer was placed on admission.

“When the symptoms of the disease started manifesting, we first thought it was pregnancy induced or a case of malaria because Justina told him she wore protective gloves while attending to Sawyer. It was on the 14th day when her condition worsened that I took her to the First Consultants from where we were directed to the Isolation Centre in Yaba where she later passed on.

“I did not immediately go to hospital when I started manifesting the symptoms until I started vomiting and feeling dehydrated. I was finally taken to the Isolation Centre where I was treated and discharged after testing negative of the virus.”

Other survivors who testified were Dr. Fadipe Akinniyi, also a member of staff of First Consultants Hospital, and Dr. (Mrs.) Kelechi Emenuo, wife of late Dr. Emenuo who treated one of Mr. Sawyer’s companions in Port Harcourt and later died of the disease.

The Lagos commissioner for health, Dr. Jide Idris, said they were invited principally to stem the stigmatisation of patients who have been treated and confirmed Ebola virus negative.

He said the testimonies given by the survivors would go a long way to remove fear and ignorance about the disease.

Fashola commended the courage of survivors in coming forward and said the next step is to help some businesses that have suffered as a result of the disease.

He noted that Ebola is not the first and may not be the last infectious disease that would afflict the nation, but that the experience has also helped people to know that it is not a death sentence.

The gestation period of 21 days has also been identified, he said.