Although the details of the delay for the burial were still sketchy, a source in the hospital told The PUNCH that the family might have abandoned the corpse “because of the manner of the death.”

The 33-year-old newly-married man lived in Jos, Plateau State, but came to see a relative in Kubwa because of his illness.

He, however, died within 24 hours of admission at the National Hospital, Abuja.

When one of our correspondents visited the hospital on Tuesday, many of the hospital employees were not ready to volunteer information concerning the corpse.

But an employee who pleaded anonymity said, “The information we got was that the family of the deceased patient are scared that they may contract the disease in the process of the burial. Several calls have been put to them but it seems they are not convinced. A lot of work should be done by enlightening them that the body has been decontaminated and is therefore safe and harmless.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the National Hospital, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, said the hospital management had been waiting on the Federal Ministry of Health to give proper advice and directive concerning the corpse.

He also denied that employees had been scared and panicky whenever any suspected case of Lassa fever was brought to the hospital.

“Nobody is running. Our doctors, nurses and medical staff in the Accident and Emergency Department are prepared for any suspected cases of Lassa fever. We are prepared and there is no cause for alarm. All the kits are available.

“The corpse of the dead patient was well bagged as usual and cannot contaminate anybody. We have informed the Federal Ministry of Health. The ministry, through the Director, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, should advise us appropriately on it. We are waiting for the directive of the ministry.”

However, when contacted, Nasidi told The PUNCH that the family of the dead patient had yet to come and claim it but did not explain why it was so.

The NCDC boss also ruled out cremation of the corpse simply because the death was as a result of Lassa fever.

Meanwhile, laboratory tests conducted on the patient with symptoms of Lassa fever who was brought to Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja tested negative.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Mohammed Danfulani, made the clarification in an interview with The PUNCH.

The woman, who was brought to the hospital on Sunday morning, was said to be having fever, diarrhoea, passing out stool with blood, and vomiting blood.

“We have a patient that has such symptoms but the test was sent for confirmation by public health officials. The result was, however, negative, it’s not Lassa fever,” Danfulani stated.

*The Punch

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Mrs Buhari said this when she visited the Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, to mark Christmas with the patients and personally distribute gifts.

Although, the president’s wife was happy to have met the patients and personally distributed the gifts to them, she expressed her sadness over the woman that was left by her husband.

She said, “I am here today to tell you that we do not forget you. We have you in mind.

“I am not happy when I meet a lady who had several operations and her husband ran away and left her. I think men should have feelings for their wives.”

Mrs Buhari solicited the support of men for their wives and family, as the head of the home and advised men to always remain firm as the pillars of the home not minding the trials or tribulations.

She said she was in the hospital to celebrate and share gifts to the patients, who were suppose to have been home celebrating, but rather they were in the hospital as a result of ailments.

Mrs Buhari reiterated the need for prayers for the peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

She wished all Nigerians a happy and prosperous New Year ahead, urging the citizens to remain peaceful and law abiding.

On his part, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Mohammed Bello, promised to improve the standard of hospitals in Abuja.

He, however, commended the president’s wife for her visit to the hospital.

Bello described Buhari as a great woman, with passion for Nigerians and the health sector.

“I am happy for the visit. You can see the happiness reflected on the faces of the patients and staff because of the gifts given to them for Christmas.

“I pray to God to empower you so that you can continue to do more in restoring happiness to the lives of the people,” he said.

Dr Ahmed Danfulani, the Medical Director of the hospital, exalted the decision of the president’s wife to choose the hospital to celebrate Christmas with patients.

He thanked the president’s wife for the gifts shared among the patients, noting that this has put smiles on the faces of the patients.

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