While the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, had in the last couple of days insisted, through the Chairman, Medical Advisory Council, CMAC, Ngim Okpo, that no deaths were recorded at the hospital, Patience Uke, the Cross River State Epidemiologist, has informed that a further two meningitis related deaths were recorded in the hospital, bringing the death toll to three while 26 suspected cases of meningitis are receiving treatment, www.calitown.com can report.
Even though Okpo and Uke seem to contradict each other, Health Commissioner, Inyang Asibong, who also confirmed the deaths, says the state is still expecting medical assistance from the Federal Ministry of Health. There are serious concerns that the slow medical response from relevant authorities, may spell doom for several persons already down with meningitis and a very high at risk population in the state.
Meningitis inflames the protective membranes covering the spinal cord and brain. Its most common symptoms are fever, headache and neck stiffness. There is presently an outbreak of meningitis in the country.