By Uchenna Ugwu
Two people have been confirmed dead in a recent gas explosion in Ebonyi state, according to Professor Robinson Onoh, Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital (AE-FETHA), Abakaliki.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred in Orokeonuoha community, Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state on Oct. 17 at a catering school known as “Good Shepherd Catering School.”
NAN also recalls that no fewer than 10 girls undergoing training in the school were initially hospitalised at AE-FETHA.
Onoh, who spoke with NAN on Sunday, said two among the 10 burnt students of the school had died from injuries sustained in the gas explosion.
The chief medical director said that medical personnel had been on ground to ensure no death was recorded again.
“Both nurses, plastic surgeons, anesthetist team, internal medicine and respiratory team and management are on ground to do the needful.
“We lost two already; one on arrival and yesterday, Oct. 19, we lost another, making it two deaths.
“Our team is on ground to make sure we do not lose another person,” he said.
Onoh revealed that inhalation and saver dressing foam were the major challenges.
“Inhalation is as a result of accumulation of smoke from burns; it is part of the burns affecting their breathing; we have been able to separate them.
“The saver dressing foam reduces frequency of dressing and healing process faster.
“The inhalation is a big challenge; burns can be managed but once there is an inhalational component, it becomes a problem.
“Saver dressing foam is quite expensive; it is not available here; we had to get this from Enugu State.
“We hope to get more; we do not want to use a particular one which could cause infection, pains and affect healing.
“We need help because it is demanding on the hospital, using internal infusion and drugs.”
The medical expert called on state government, led by Gov Francis Nwifuru to assist the hospital to ensure medical care of the patients.
“We are also calling on Wife of the governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to support and also medical organisations, philanthropists to help,” he said.
Onoh further applauded the management, reverend sisters and priests in the catering school for their level of concern in providing care.
Mr Augustine Nwokoku, a victim’s father and staff of the state House of Assembly, appreciated the medical team and management of the school on team work to ensure the hospitalised students were taken care of. NAN