Prof. Robinson Onoh, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital (AE-FETHA) in Abakaliki, has confirmed that two of the ten individuals hospitalized following a gas explosion at Good Shepherd Catering School in the Orokeonuoha community of Ebonyi State have died.
The explosion, reportedly triggered by a phone in the kitchen area of the school, led to the hospitalization of ten female students.
Dr. Onoh stated, “We lost two already; one on arrival and yesterday, October 19, we lost another, making it two deaths.” He emphasized that a multidisciplinary medical team, including nurses, plastic surgeons, anaesthetists, and internal medicine and respiratory specialists, are on hand to provide care for the victims. “Our team is on ground to make sure we do not lose another person,” he added.
Prof. Onoh also highlighted the significant challenges in treating the victims, particularly regarding inhalation injuries caused by smoke inhalation from the burns. “Inhalation is as a result of the accumulation of smoke from burns; it is part of the burns affecting their breathing; we have been able to separate them,” he explained.
He noted the importance of using saver dressing foam, which accelerates healing and reduces the frequency of dressing changes. However, he pointed out, “The saver dressing foam is quite expensive; it is not available here; we had to get this from Enugu State.”
He further stated, “We hope to get more; we do not want to use a particular one which could cause infection and pain affecting healing,” indicating the critical need for proper medical supplies to ensure the victims’ recovery.
