A medical doctor in Lagos, Mr Chugbo Enema has become the first health worker in Nigeria to die from COVID-19 after he contracted the virus from a patient he was treating.

The doctor, who died at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Wednesday after being rushed to the facility Monday, was said to have managed a COVID-19 patient in a private hospital where he worked. The patient being treated died on Friday April 3.

Confirming the development to journalist on Wednesday, Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Mr Chris Bode, said the doctor 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 was not much we could do. He was a staff in LUTH years back before he went into private practice. We learnt he had COVID-19 patients in his facility he was 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.”

Further investigation shows Chugbo, who was over 60 years old, did his residency training at Obstetrics and Gynaecology department in LUTH.

He was at a time Vice President of Association of Resident Doctors in the hospital.

He was also said to have worked at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) as a consultant.

Thisday