There was confusion at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Edo State, over scare of Monkey Pox disease.
It was learnt that mass evacuation of patients hit the hospital on Wednesday, following conflicting reports over a person suspected to have contacted the disease and admitted at the hospital.
Also, there is tension in Benin, the state capital, as some residents are accusing the management of the UBTH of chasing a Monkey Pox patient into the town, with the likelihood of spreading the disease.
The hospital management had on Tuesday confirmed that the person has been admitted in the hospital.
The Spokesman for the hospital, Mr. Uwaila Joshua, had confirmed in a statement that the suspected patient was undergoing further evaluations, adding that no danger was posed to staff or other patients.
According to Joshua, the said patient was in an isolated complex at the health facility.
However, a relative of the suspected Monkey Pox patient who did not want to be named in print, dismissed the hospital’s report, saying that they were driven away by authorities of UBTH.
“I read reports of suspected Monkey Pox patient been admitted to UBTH with surprise.
“For the record, when we took our brother there [hospital] on Monday, we were driven away by some medical personnel at the accident and emergency ward on account that they don’t have facilities to cater for Monkey Pox patients.
“So, I have this question for UBTH management: Is it our brother that they chased away that is now in their facility receiving treatment.
“Except of course, they have another patient over there. And if we are to go by that, would they have rejected my brother on Tuesday on account of no facility and admitted another in their supposed Monkey Pox isolated complex?,” he said.
The Public Relations Officer of UBTH, Joshua Uwaila in a quick reaction said there was no panic within the hospital, adding that everybody was busy doing their jobs in the hospital.
Uwaila called on the members of the public to disregard such claim.
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