TheCable

Sam Ejelonu, the father of Justina (pictured), the first Nigerian nurse to die of Ebola, says the management of First Consultants Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, has been “inhumane” to his family.

Ejelonu made the allegation in an interview with NAN in Owerri, capital of Imo state.

Justina, who resumed at the hospital on July 19, exactly a day before late Patrick Sawyer, the index Ebola case was admitted, died on August 6.

The father of the deceased said since the death of Justina, no member of staff of the hospital had visited the family, noting that just two people from the hospital telephoned him to condole with his family.

Justina was said to be pregnant at the time she was infected with the virus while attending to Sawyer.

“I heard of the predicament that led to the untimely death of my daughter, in the news,” Ejelonu said.

“No person from the hospital or Imo state government visited to sympathise with my family on her death. The most painful report to the family is that Imo government wants to immortalise Justina for her patriotism but no contact has been made with the family.”

Ejelonu described the treatment from Justina’s employer as unfair, adding that the family was still in a state of mourning.

“My late daughter just finished national service when she secured the nursing job,” he lamented.

“Even, if it was one day she worked, the record has it that she was in the employment of an organisation.

“If my daughter was a house servant to somebody, will it not be honourable for people to visit the family and condole with the parents over her death?

“To be sincere with you, I do not want anybody to bring my mind back to Justina’s case. The hospital and the government are being managed by human beings; the people know what is fair and just.”

But Simon Tashie, the hospital’s director of administration, dismissed Ejelonu’s claim, maintaining that the hospital has been in touch with Justina’s family.

“We are in touch with the family. We also sent a delegation to attend her funeral ceremony at the Church of Advent, Anglican Communion, Umubo, Ubonukam Onicha, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Imo State, on November 1,” he told NAN.

When approached, Florence Emeribe, the director of nursing services, who was also Justina’s supervisor, declined to comment on the matter, saying Benjamin Ohiaeri, the managing director, was aware of the complaint.

“The managing director has been told of your mission to this hospital. He is busy right now and will get back to you as soon as possible,” she said.