Encomium
Private hospitals in Lagos state and its environs have been recording low patronage in their various hospitals since the outbreak of Ebola virus in the
Dr. Gbenga Omolayole, ONOL MEDICAL CLINIC
How has the Ebola outbreak affected patronage at your hospital?
Basically, it is a reflection of the economy in the country. Most poor people cannot afford medicare, they rather go to churches, local medical centres, chemists, nurses to come treat them at home. That is the major reason
What preventive measures are you taking to curb the spread of this virus in your hospital?
We have adopted the WHO standard which the government has adopted. We take temperature of patients before coming into the hospital, washing of hands frequently and protective equipment.
Is it true that doctors turn their back on patients who want to be treated of malaria because of this virus?
An experienced doctor would not do that. If you are running away from patients, it means you do not know your profession enough. Even if you have a case or whatsoever you could refer the patient to the general hospital and so on. I don’t see any reason doctors should stay away from patients.
In what further ways do you think government can help its citizens about this virus?
I am conversant with what is going on, I think it has been handled well by the government. It’s been well contained, I give kudos to the government.
Doctors have disagreed with the schools resumption date, what do you have to say about that?
I think doctors are in a better position to advise the government. Children eat, play together. This is to prevent our kids from contracting this deadly disease.
Dr. Ajayi A. O., HEALING VIRTUE HOSPITAL
How has the Ebola outbreak affected patronage at your hospital?
It has not affected negatively. Our patronage is still the same. People still come. When patients come, they are just always being careful. We have precautions.
What preventive measures are you taking to curb the spread of this virus in your hospital?
What we do is to use thermometer to take people’s temperature. If the person’s temperature is high, we refer him/her to our medical personnel. We avoid body contacts and we use sanitizers.
Is it true that doctors turn their backs on patients who want to be treated of malaria because of this virus?
No, that’s not true.
In what further ways do you think the government can help its citizens about this virus?
They are trying, they should just find a better way of managing information.
Doctors have disagreed with the schools resumption date what do you have to say about that?
It should be postponed till the issue is sorted out. It is better they postpone it.
Dr. Odemuyiwa Albert, NIGERIA SECURITY MEDICINE MEDICAL HOSPITAL
How has the Ebola outbreak affected patronage at your hospital?
As far as we are concerned, we have not had any Ebola case. We take protective measures. We use a thermometer in checking temperature before entering the hospital.
What preventive measures are you taking to curb the spread of this virus in your hospital?
Before a patient enters the hospital, we check the temperature of the patient and washing of hands.
Is it true that doctors turn their back on patients who want to be treated of malaria because of this virus?
Before the Ebola crisis there have been symptoms related to malaria like vomiting, rise in temperature. It is not necessarily Ebola, it could be malaria.
In what further ways do you think government can help its citizens about this virus?
The further thing the government is doing is educating the masses about this deadly disease, creating awareness, closing of borders. Nigeria should not be a country that can be penetrated easily.
Dr Okoye Grace, TOLABI MEDICAL CENTRE
How has the Ebola outbreak affected patronage at your hospital?
I work in a specialist hospital, that is a hospital which specializes in a particular area of medicine. Where I work, we see more of trauma and orthopedic cases. Though we see general cases like malaria and gastroenteritis which as you knows have similar symptoms with Ebola. But we see few of these general cases, so the outbreak of Ebola really has not had any effect on the turnout of patients.
What preventive measures are you taking to curb the spread of this virus in your hospital?
Since the first case of Ebola in Nigeria, general preventive measures like hand washing, use of protective clothings, environmental sanitation which has always been the practice anyway are now very much emphasized.
The only new thing I would say that was added is the use of infrared thermometer to screen patients before they enter the hospital premises. As you know, one of the symptoms of Ebola is fever, but like I said due to the nature of where I work, I don’t think we have seen any patient with a fever since the outbreak.
Is it true that doctors turn their backs on patients who want to be treated of malaria because of this virus?
I take blood samples for malaria parasite check almost on a daily basis. When a patient presents to the hospital with what he/she thinks is malaria most times turn out not to be malaria. We practice evidence based medicine and malaria parasite check is one of the routine test we run for patients.
You also have to understand that when patients say they feel feverish does not necessarily mean they have fever. You can only say a patient has fever when the thermometer reads a raised temperature.
In what further ways do you think the government can help its citizens about Ebola virus?
Unfortunately, I’m not among the majority that will always blame the government for every little problem, the people can actually take care of themselves. The government is trying its best to contain the virus.
The citizens should help the government. I believe we all know how the disease spreads. If you know you have had any contact with a suspected cases kindly submit yourself to be observed/quarantined as the case may be. Running away to get treatment secretly won’t help anybody, blatantly denying having contact with suspected cases won’t help anybody either.
Yes, government should be blamed for not being vigilant with our borders. Patrick Sawyerr should be blamed for withholding information and importing Ebola to Lagos. I wonder who we want to blame for having people under surveillance in Enugu sometime last month and now in Port Harcourt. We should help government to help us.
Dr. Obulu Micheal, FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, MAKURDI
How has the Ebola outbreak affected patronage at your hospital?
I don’t think I agree with that. On the contrary, health centres are mobilised and prepared for any Ebola case. They are ready in Makurdi. We haven’t recorded any case of Ebola.
What preventive measures are you taking to curb the spread of this virus in your hospital?
There is a quarantine centre. I have not seen any preventive mask. As a matter of fact the preparation is not satisfactory.
Is it true that doctors turn their back on patients who want to be treated of malaria because of this virus?
That is not true. Shortly after the Ebola outbreak there was this woman who was brought to the hospital and was stooling, running temperature and had Ebola symptom. I treated her and it was later found out that she was down with malaria. So, doctors don’t turn their back on patients who want to be treated of malaria.
In what further ways do you think government can help its citizens about this virus?
The government response is commendable. For once, the Nigerian government has done its best most especially concerning health issue. But they should look into other areas which they have been looking down on. Those are the area most of this disease come from.
Doctors have disagreed with the resumption date what do you have to say about that?
I don’t see any reason schools should be locked. The Ebola case is not as heavy in Nigeria compared to other West African countries. The case is under control here. I think everybody should go back to school and God will protect us.
