Robinson Onoh, chief medical director of the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital (AE-FETHA), Abakaliki, has said that the recent gas explosion in Ebonyi has claimed two lives.
The incident occurred in the Orokeonuoha community, Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, on October 17 at a catering school known as “Good Shepherd Catering School.”
No fewer than 10 girls undergoing training in the school were initially hospitalised at AE-FETHA.
Mr Onoh, who spoke with journalists 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 medical personnel had been on ground to ensure no death was recorded again.
“Both nurses, plastic surgeons, anaesthetist team, internal medicine and respiratory team and management are on ground to do the needful.
“We lost two already; one on arrival, and yesterday, October 19, we lost another, making it two deaths. Our team is on ground to make sure we do not lose another person,” he said.
Mr Onoh revealed that inhalation and saver dressing foam were the major challenges.
“Inhalation is 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 the frequency of dressing and the healing process faster.
“The inhalation is a big challenge; burns can be managed, but once there is an inhalation component, it becomes a problem.
“Saver dressing foam is quite expensive; it is not available here; we had to get this from Enugu State,” he said.
The medical expert called on the state government, led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, to assist the hospital to ensure medical care of the patients.
“We are also calling on the wife of the governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to support and also medical organisations and philanthropists to help,” he said.
Mr Onoh further applauded the management, reverend sisters and priests in the catering school for their concern in providing care.
Augustine Nwokoku, a victim’s father and staff of the state House of Assembly, appreciated the medical team and management of the school’s teamwork to ensure the hospitalised students were taken care of.