July 12, 2020

A team of surgeons at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu yesterday performed a successful surgery in a COVID-19 positive patient.

The team of surgeons was led by the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) Dr V. Ugwu, Dr Eze M.I. and Dr Ezenkwele, all of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department UNTH Enugu.


The patient was admitted two weeks earlier and was being prepared for an urgent surgery when she tested positive for COVID-19.


The hospital management, led by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Obinna Onodugo, and the team of surgeons realised the risk of proceeding with the surgery considering the COVID-19 positive status of the patient but still went ahead with the surgery to save life. However, they took the necessary precautions and protocols as laid down by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), including donning the necessary personal protective equipments (PPE).


The patient was in satisfactory post operative condition as at the time of compiling this report and was to be moved to the COVID-19 isolation ward UNTH for the necessary post operative care.


It will be recalled that on June 21, 2020, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Obinna Onodugo, announced that UNTH has been declared a testing centre for COVID-19. According to the Chief Medical Director, the hospital was to commence COVID-19 testing the next day, being Monday June 22, 2020. Dr Onodugo praised the efforts of the team on ground which he described as “truly phenomenal”. He particularly commended the Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) in charge of Laboratory services, Dr Tessy Nwagha for his efforts.


The UNTH, Enugu, is a foremost tertiary reference centre in Nigeria and one of the designated COVID-19 treatment centres in the country.