Queen’s College Epidemic Claims Yet Another Life In Lagos

An epidemic that broke out at the Queen’s College, Lagos has claimed the life of its third victim who died at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

The Senior Secondary School one (SSS 1) pupil, who was an orphan, was said to have been on life support at the Intensive Care Unit before she died late Thursday night.

PUNCH  reports that the President of the school’s Old Girls’ Association, Dr. Frances Ajose, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed the development.

”Yes, another pupil died. She was the one in critical condition. I received a call around 1am on Friday about the death. I don’t have much detail yet,” Idris said.

About 1,222 students fell ill as a result of what the state government called a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water.

The first case of illness was recorded in January 16, 2017. Over a dozen students were hospitalised. The Principal has since been transferred from the school.

The students reported to the sick bay complaining of abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Meanwhile,two students passed out as a result of this same issue.

The federal ministry of health had ordered an investigation into the case but the principal of the school Dr. Lami Amodu denied the health crisis, adding that people are trying to bring the reputation of the school down.

”She was one of the first set of students that fell ill. She was an orphan. She went into a coma and was on life support, before she eventually passed on. That has made the death toll to be three now,” one parent said.

Idris as well as other stakeholders had also advised that the school remained shut, however, the school’s management directed JJS 3 and SSS 3 students resume

One of the parents whose child was also hospitalised but has now been discharged, said the case should be investigated and prosecution should follow.

”This should not be swept under the carpet. There have been three deaths because of the carelessness of one person (the principal, Amodu). We have lost these promising ones and their families are now in sorrow. This case must be probed and all those involved brought to book,” the parent said.