El-Comfort Hospital, a private hospital in Asaba, that was closed down after a medical doctor infected with Lassa fever was hospitalized in the hospital, has been cleared and certified open for operations.
It will be recalled that the hospital was closed down after the late Dr Okeke infected with Lassa fever was hospitalized in the hospital abouta month ago. He later died at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, in Anambra State and has since been buried.
According to Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Ben-Ifeanyi Ajufoh, “Delta State Government and NCDC have cleared and certified the hospital for operations.”
“The late Dr Okeke manifested symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, necessitating the testing of his blood at the specialist virology laboratory, Irrua, Edo State, where the disease was confirmed.”
“The surveillance officer immediately activated the WHO Lassa fever containment and management protocol, thus fumigating and decontaminating all facilities that hosted him.”
“Till date, no El-Comfort hospital doctor, nurse or staff has been reported infected and nobody has died in the hospital.”
Ajufoh noted the required 21 days of surveillance on exposed persons had ended. He added that the hospital is now offering its services to the public having been cleared and certified by NCDC.
