“I was admitted immediately that evening with a temperature of 38.3°c (after taking antipyretics) and SPO2 of 97%.”
Dr. Nsikak Nyoyoko, Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, testified this, after he was discharged from Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State due to severe COVID-19 attack.
“Two days later, I was confirmed COVID 19 positive but was too sick to cry. I kept hope alive with prayers and family support. My phone became my closest companion,” Nyoyoko stated.
Speaking with Straightnews publisher on Thursday, July 16 on telephone, the NMA boss who was among the 59 COVID-19 patients, confirmed that they were discharged on Monday, July 13 after spending 23 days at the isolation facility.
He declined to comment on how he contacted the pandemic, but he commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his efforts in combating the pandemic.
On his Facebook timeline, Nyoyoko penned, “On Saturday, the 20th of June 2020, I developed some difficulty in breathing and had to be rushed to the isolation center at Ibom Specialist Hospital Uyo, Akwa Ibom State by my beautiful, darling, ever-supportive and always-caring wife.
“The Akwa Ibom State government, through the Incident Management Committee (IMC) has performed excellently in the COVID-19 response in the state.
“From the well-kitted personnel at the isolation center to the 24 hour power supply, to the free testing, to the free medications, free good food, free hospital stay and care, to the ambulance services, accommodation for high risk volunteers, the call center, the contact tracers and the hard-working Incident Management Committee, who meet daily to brainstorm on better ways to combat the pandemic.
“Let me use this medium, therefore, to applaud the Akwa Ibom State government, led by Deacon Udom Emmanuel, for the foresight to build a 300 capacity isolation center fully equipped even with a molecular laboratory that can test for COVID-19 as well as many other pathogens.
“This facility would outlive this pandemic and metamorphose into a research and training centre for other disease-causing agents.
“As part of the CONGLOMERATE of Healthcare Professionals in Akwa Ibom State, NMA Akwa Ibom State, under my leadership, was at the forefront of requesting for best practices in the management of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom State.
“Everyone would also agree that the Government of Akwa Ibom State, led by our amiable and visionary Governor (Our NMA Healthcare Ambassador) has shown that it is a listening Government.
“Testing has now become much improved and more regular as we now have a test center at the newly built 300-capacity Isolation centre in Ituk Mbang General Hospital and will soon have a new test center at Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo. This has improved the speed of diagnosis of COVID 19 and provided a more efficient response.
“With the current increase in a number of positive cases nationwide, the new isolation center will serve and save the inhabitants of Akwa Ibom State.”
He, therefore, warned people of the dangers of the virus and the need to keep to the safety measures prescribed by the health authorities.
Nyoyoko lauded his colleagues and other health workers working at the isolation centre for their care, professionalism, and positive attitude to work, adding that they held strongly the tenet of confidentiality, and making the inmates feel comfortable and hopeful.
