A medical doctor in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Dominic Essien, died on Thursday at Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered Essien who was the proprietor of San Dominic Clinic and a Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, University of Uyo, died from a week history of fever, cough and shortness of breath.
The doctor’s health was reportedly bad that he had to be placed on oxygen.
The chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association [NMA], Dr Nsikak Nyoyoko, who confirmed his death in a letter to his members on Friday said he immediately alerted members of the COVID-19 Response Team after he was intimated about his situation
According to NMA chairman, the Response Team swung into action and admitted the patient at Ibom Specialist Hospital, where his blood specimen was taken to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control for confirmation of the actual cause of his death.
In the letter to calm fray nerves among his members, Nyoyoko said,
“Today, we all have a reason to be sad. I was called last night by a colleague who intimated me that one of our colleagues was sick with a week history of fever, cough and shortness of breath which worsened yesterday with his SPO2 as low as 72%, requiring him to be placed on oxygen at his clinic.
“I immediately called upon a member of the State COVID-19 Response Team to swing into action and somehow, later last night, our colleague was admitted into Ibom Specialist Hospital and managed by specialists in respiratory medicine.
“With the symptoms elucidated above, a suspicion of COVID-19 was entertained and he had his sample taken today awaiting transportation to the laboratory for COVID-19 testing.
“Unfortunately, this revered Colleague of ours died mid-afternoon today. Details of the case management are still sketchy as attempts to reach members of the incident Management Committee were unsuccessful as they were out for a meeting.
“Dr Dominic Essien was a revered Colleague of many parts. He was a renowned Private Practitioner, a Physiotherapist and a Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, University of Uyo.
“We have just lost a Friend, Colleague and a brother. Its been a sad day for us at NMA Akwa Ibom State but be rest assured that the lessons learnt from this tragic event would not pass in vain.
“I want to urge all our members to remain calm, stay safe and please reach out to a colleague or the Association when in need of help”
