- By Mikail Mumuni
A medical doctor, Dr Chugbo Emeka, who admitted and treated a covid-19 positive patient in his private hospital died on Wednesday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after contacting the virus himself.
Two of his professional colleagues, Dr Amos Dele Babade and Dr Lawal Oyeneyin broke the sad news of the death of Dr Emeka.
Announcing the death, Dr Babade wrote: “My classmate Dr Chugbo Emeka died in LUTH this morning due to COVID 19. He died in line of duty. He had a patient that was positive and later died 2 days ago.”
Dr Oyeneyin on his part stated that:
“Dr Chugbo was a former senior resident of O&G in LUTH who left to set up his private practice in Lagos.
“He contracted the virus from privately managing a known covid19 patient. He later fell ill and was receiving care at his hospital. When his condition deteriorated he was referred to LUTH in severe respiratory distress. I remember Dr Chugbo was a known asthmatic.
“He was commenced on drugs but he did not really improved. He passed on Wednesday morning 15th April.
“Dr Chugbo was a senior resident during my training as well as a good friend who exhibited exemplary brilliance and showed empathy for his patients. May his soul RIP.”
The Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode confirmed the death.
Prof Bode said Dr Chugbo “was not a staff of the hospital but was rushed to the facility after he showed severe signs of the disease.
“He was brought in late, so there wasn’t much we could do. He was a staff in LUTH years back before he went to join the private sector. We learnt he had COVID-19 patients in his facility that he has been treating. He may have been exposed to the virus from there.
“His death has shown what health workers are exposed to in the course of treating COVID-19 patients. Our hearts are with his family in this trying time. It is a sad development for us.”
The late doctor was a Vice President of the Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH, while he worked there. He did his residency training at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department in the teaching hospital.