The Chief Medical Dorector, University College Hospital (UCH), Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo has reassured the public that the Hospital is doing its best in the control and prevention of the coronavirus.
In a press conference on Thursday March 19 2020, Otegbayo advised the public to adopt social distancing and reduce clustering of large number of people.
His speech read:
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, this interaction with you have become imperative in view of the event of the last 24 hours which has seen the number of patients testing positive to the Novel Covid-19 increase from three to eight and the widely publicized report of a suspected case in Ibadan. While the citizenry is encouraged to remain calm, the need to be more cautious and proactive in measures that have been proven to reduce transmission of the virus is expedient and vital at this time in our efforts to control the pandemic.
Let me quickly debunk the rumor going around that a patient with a positive test to COVID-19 is on admission in UCH. This not the case. The truth is that there is a suspected case of Covid 19 infection who is currently self-isolating and whose blood sample has been sent for test. The result is being awaited, and the details about this suspected case and efforts taken so far had been provided by the Honorable Commissioner for Health in Oyo State yesterday
One of the potent measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus is the reduction clustering of large numbers of people and reasonable practice of social distancing. To achieve this in UCH community, the following measures have been put in place:
(a) Patients who do not have definite/valid appointments are advised not to present at our clinics, as only those with valid appointments will be allowed on the premises.
(b) Only when absolutely necessary should patients be accompanied to regular clinic visit and the number of accompanying caregivers should be minimum required for the purpose.
(c) Patients on our wards will be allowed only one relative at a time to attend to their needs.
(d) All non-essential visits are strongly discouraged at this time.
(e) Clinically stable patients are advised to stay at home and to resume regular clinic visits after the pandemic have subsided.
To further reduce human traffic in the hospital and as a precaution to prevent infection among our numerous students and staff, all University College Hospital Schools viz the Schools of nursing, School of Health Information Management and all Agency schools are to close indefinitely with immediate effect.
Also, Members of the public are once again reminded of the symptoms of COVID-19 infection viz a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. Illness can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. Persons above the age of 60 are particularly vulnerable.
Anyone with the symptoms and who might be concerned they have the infection should call the following numbers of COVID-19 response team of the hospital for education on necessary steps
to take:
(1) 08131733982
(2) 08177557039
(3) 08131733694
The University College Hospital is poised to continue to render excellent service to our patients and the good people of Oyo State and beyond. However, the current situation has placed a demand on us to scale down on non-essential duties. Only emergencies will be attended to in our Dental Clinics while Elective surgical procedures are postponed until the situation returns to normal.
Our Accidents and Emergency Department will remain open to attend to all emergencies. We shall continue to review our measures as the situation unfolds. Fear should not be entertained. Self-survival is the first law of nature. We urge all our staff and external stakeholders to keep safe. God bless our country Nigeria. Thank you very much for your attention.
