TRIBUTE TO LATE DR AMEYO- ADADEVOH FOR HEROIC ACTION AGAINST SPREAD OF EBOLA

Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh

Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh one of the doctors who treated late Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian who brought in Ebola virus to Nigeria has died this afternoon at Mainland hospital, Yaba, where she has been isolated. Dr Ameyo is survived by a son and her husband, Mr Ameyo. 

“The Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu announced the death of one of the primary contacts of the index Ebola Virus Disease case, the most senior doctor who participated in the management of the patient, a femaleconsultant physician.

“With this unfortunate development the total number of Ebola Virus related deaths in Nigeria now stands at five. The other two patients currently under treatment in the isolation wards are stable and are being taken care of.”

The Presidency has described late Dr. Ameyo Shade Stella Adadevoh, who died of the Ebola Virus disease contracted from the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer as, ‘a real Nigerian hero.’

Special Assistant to President Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri,  in a tweet via his handle @renoomokri  wrote, “No greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends-John 15:13. Rest in Peace #DrAdadevohaRealNigerianhero”.

Former Minister for Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili,  in her tribute described the late Adadevoh as an embodiment of godly doctor.

Kwami Adadevoh (@KwamiAdadevoh),  the late doctor’s cousin in his tweet wrote, “I’d like to thank you all for your prayers. Sadly my darling cousin has been called home. She has finished her course and now rests with God”

Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, saved the country from epidemic of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, when she forcefully restricted Mr. Sawyer to his bed after he tried to remove the drip administered on him.

Observers said that her action probably saved many Nigerian lives because, if Sawyer had succeeded in forcing himself out of the hospital, it would have been difficult to trace those who had contact with him.

The late Dr. Adadevoh was the first grandchild of Mrs Sarah Idowu Abigail Adadevoh nee Macaulay, making her a great granddaughter of the late nationalist Herbert Macaulay described as the founder of Nigerian nationalism.

Her Father, Prof. Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh, who was a grandson of the grand old man of Nigerian anti-colonial politics  was also a physician.

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday paid tribute to the late Senior Consultant/ Endocrinologist at First Consultant Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, Dr Stella Ameyo-Adadevoh, who it said, took the initiative to intimate the Ministry of Health of the index Ebola case and that substantially to her credit the moderate containment is owed.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who gave the update at a news conference he addressed at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa alongside his Special Duties and Information and Strategy counterparts, Dr. Wale Ahmed and Mr Lateef Ibirogba informed that Dr Ameyo-Adadevoh passed on Tuesday night after battling to survive the Ebola infection.

“She led the team, who attended to the index case. Her doggedness and commitment to duty saw her personally reviewing the case even though the patient had earlier been seen by a doctor. No doubt, she and the other affected health workers are the heroes and heroines of the day,” he said.

Dr Idris commiserated with the families, co-workers, friends and loved ones of the affected health workers on the irreparable loss, which occurred while she was on the line of duty.

He urged the residents of the state “to be vigilant, especially with regards to people, who are ill. There is no panic as long as basic precautionary measures (hand-washing, adoption of proper waste management and enhanced personal and environmental hygiene) are adhered to.”

He stressed that the state has health personnel in place to manage the current cases even as efforts are being redoubled to secure the services of more volunteers to cope with any contingency.

Addressing concerns being raised about those who have been discharged and declared free of the Virus, Dr Idris said they were discharged after undergoing the established protocol of the World Health Organisation (WHO) international regulations and that they are still being followed up.

The Commissioner also disclosed that its contact-tracing team are observing five suspected cases of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that have been referred for care and further tests adding later that two of these five have proved negative.

While maintaining that the health authorities have not foreclosed the emergence of new cases, he underscored that there is no panic as long as the basic precautionary measures such as hand washing , adoption of appropriate waste management and enhanced personal environmental hygiene are adhered to.

He encouraged persons who have come in contact with infected persons to report early for treatment as such improves chances of survival, adding that the State remains committed to containing the outbreak in concert with her partners.

Dr Idris also encouraged the private health sector to further cooperate with the government and promptly report any suspected case stressing the need for basic universal precaution and barrier nursing which should be uppermost.