Nigeria

LUTH calls for sanction against patients, relations that conceal information to health workers

Monday, April 13, 2020 at 3:56 PM by Oluwatobi Bolashodun

- The Lagos University Teaching Hospital has called for severe punishment against anyone that conceals information to health workers

- This was disclosed in a statement by Sesan Olajide, the director, LUTH legal services

- It would be recalled that a man who concealed his return from Holland died following complications from the virus

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, has asked that any patient or relation that hides the health status and travel history to health workers should be punished severely.

Sesan Olajide, the director, LUTH legal services, called for a legal framework that prescribes severe penalty against anyone found guilty a statement on Monday, April 13, in Lagos.

Olajide's request is following the death of a patient who was brought to the hospital and it was discovered later he tested positive for COVID-19 after his death. The director went on to note that healthcare personnel would not be able to give their best when they were not sure of their own safety.

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He said: “Therefore, it is being suggested that Covid-19 specific Laws and Regulations should make it mandatory for persons seeking medical care or persons accompanying them to make full disclosure about travels in and out of Nigeria.

LUTH calls for sanction against patients, relations that conceal information to health workers
Source: UGC

“Failure to do so or concealment or misleading information in that regard should attract severe punishment. Such a provision should also be given the necessary publicity."

Olajide further said information that is hidden from health workers would not be only detrimental to the patient but it could expose caregivers, other patients to the risk of harm.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a man was reported to have died at LUTH following complications of coronavirus. A medical report about the deceased disclosed by an official of LUTH revealed that he was not only hypertensive and diabetic but also had chronic kidney disease and sepsis.

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The official added that the patient who died shortly after being admitted at the hospital concealed his travel history to Holland and that after his death, one of the tests conducted on him posthumously revealed that he had the virus, having had contact with persons residing overseas.

Upon his demise, the family of the 55-year-old man later admitted that their relative had COVID-19 infection but decided to be silent about it because they were afraid that the hospital will reject him if his health status was revealed.

In other news, following the alleged unethical conduct of Professor Alakija Salami, a senior consultant at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said it will not mete out punishment on the medical personnel.

Dr. Alihu Adebara, the Kwara state NCDC team leader speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, April 9, in Ilorin said the agency was leaving the matter of any disciplinary measures to the state government to handle.