Angela Onwuzoo
A medical doctor identified as Salome Oboyi has died of Lassa fever in Plateau State.
Oboyi, who works at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, died after contracting the viral infection while attending to an infected patient.
The authorities of the Bingham University Teaching Hospital said Oboyi, who was a senior resident doctor attached to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, died barely two weeks after developing symptoms.
At a media briefing in Jos on Wednesday, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Stephen Anzaku, disclosed that Oboyi, who reported herself immediately after showing symptoms, was placed on admission with adequate treatment and monitoring.
According to him, the Plateau State Government, through the Ministry of Health, provided all the drugs needed for her treatment.
He, however, expressed regret that despite the efforts made by the system to save her, Oboyi succumbed to the dreaded disease.
“She operated on a patient who came as an emergency. It was after the surgery that there was a suspicion.
“And then, after some time, she developed some symptoms, and we immediately commenced treatment”, the CMD noted
Lamenting the devastating death of Oboyi, the CMD said the death was the first and only one involving a staff member of the teaching hospital in over forty years.
“Late Dr Salome Oboyi treated a Lassa fever patient about two weeks ago. And shortly after the treatment, she developed symptoms, reported herself to the hospital, and was immediately placed on admission and treatment.
“We were very supportive. The Plateau State Ministry of Health provided the necessary drugs.
“We managed her for almost two weeks, but, unfortunately, she was called home.
” We never lost a staff member here for over four decades until now. Now, we have lost a very dedicated and beloved doctor”,Anzaku lamented.
The Commissioner for Health in Plateau State, Nicolas Boomlang, while commenting on the demise of the doctor, also confirmed a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
He said two deaths were recorded in Kanam and Shendam LGAs in February 2026, adding that the state government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, is intensifying surveillance, case management, and public awareness campaigns.
PUNCH Healthwise earlier reported that according to the NCDC Lassa Fever Situation Report, Nigeria recorded 1,148 confirmed cases and 215 deaths of Lassa fever across 22 states from epidemiological week one to 52 of 2025.
This implies that in 2025, 215 deaths from Lassa fever were recorded in the country.
The report further noted that the total suspected cases recorded were 9,389, with a case fatality rate of 18.7 per cent.
The NCDC identified late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour driven by high healthcare costs, poor environmental sanitation, and low awareness in high-burden communities as factors contributing to the high fatality rate.
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