Three killed by Lassa fever in Kano, 292 on watch list

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Health workers in FMC Bauchi beg for protection as they are made to work without PPE even after two doctors died after exposure to Lassa Fever 









Healthcare workers at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare, Bauchi State, are worried for their lives after the COVID-19 treatment centre was set up there even after two doctors died following exposure to Lassa Fever patients.

 

The healthcare workers there say they are not provided with PPE to keep them safe while treating patients. When they ask for Personal Protective Equipments, they are usually turned down and are expected to be mute about it, journalist Fisayo Soyombo reports.

 

Recently, two doctors died at the institution three weeks apart after they were exposed to Lassa Fever patients.

 

Now, a COVID-19 isolation centre has been set up and the same staff are expected to treat Coronavirus patients but they are apprehensive and fear for their lives.

 



 

 In addition to that, the state of the centre leaves little to be desired.

 



 

Soyombo shared photos of the isolation centre, writing: "At Federal medical centre (FMC) Azare, Bauchi State, two healthcare workers recently died three weeks apart after exposure to Lassa Fever patients. 

 

"Why? Most healthcare workers at this hospital are turned back when they request for PPEs before attending to patients.

 

"Now that a COVID-19 isolation centre has been set up there, staff are apprehensive.

 



 

"They know they won’t get PPE as usual. And the management wants them to be mute.

 

"By the way, here’s what the hospital’s Lassa Fever isolation ward looks like. 

 

"FMC Azare staff are asking FG for help; they’re not afraid to treat COVID-19 patients but they want PPE. They want protection."

 




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