Ebola Victim's Father Decries Inhuman Treatment of Family

SOURCE: PUNCH.



Chief Sam Ejelonu, the father of Justina, the first Nigerian nurse, who died of Ebola virus disease, has decried alleged inhuman treatment to his family by his daughter’s employer.

Justina, who was employed by the First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos, died on Aug. 12, following her contact with the index Ebola case in Nigeria, the late Mr Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian.

Ejelonu made the allegation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Owerri.

He said that since the death of Justina, no member of staff of the hospital had visited the family.

NAN reports that Justina contacted Ebola virus on her first day at work at the hospital, where the late
Sawyer was rushed to, on July 20.

Sawyer died four days later at the hospital.

NAN reports that Justina was said to be pregnant as of the time she was infected with the virus while attending to Sawyer.

Ejelonu said, “I heard of my daughter’s predicament leading to her untimely death, in the news.

“No person from the hospital or Imo State Government has visited to sympathise with my family on her death.

He told NAN that he only received calls from two people who probably called from the hospital to express their sympathy.

“The most painful report to the family is that Imo Government wants to immortalise Justina for her patriotism.

“No contact was made with the family from the government’s side.”

Ejelonu described the treatment from Justina’s employer as unfair.