The medical doctor, Amarachukwu Allison who discovered the index case of COVID-19 in Nigeria has bagged the National Healthcare Excellence award for her professional diligence. The award is in the category of the Most Outstanding COVID-19 Professional of the year.
The award sponsored by Anadach – a healthcare consulting firm, was for the identification of the index case of COVID-19 in Nigeria and notification of appropriate authorities.Allison, who studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State works for an international organisation in Ewekoro, a town in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Dr. Allison told PUNCH HealthWise that she had come in contact with three different viral infections and live to tell the story.
During the Ebola outbreak of 2014, she was quarantined as a secondary contact.
In November 2019, she was diagnosed with a viral haemorrhagic fever which she was exposed to and had to self-isolate for a week.
Her third quarantine was in February 2020 when she attended to a patient that turned out to be Nigeria’s index COVID-19 case — an Italian man who suddenly took ill after flying in from Milan, Italy, which was undergoing a virulent experience of the coronavirus then.
“The award is thrilling because it’s been over a year and I’m still being appreciated. It is very encouraging and I would tell you that this makes me forever grateful for the privilege to serve humanity. Not to talk of the numerous opportunities this prestigious recognition could give me.
“I feel deeply honoured. In more ways than I can even express. I received numerous phone calls and messages of goodwill. I’m still reeling from the overwhelming excitement of it all.
“On a more serious note, I know now more than ever that I have been called to do so much more, and I will do my best always to serve,” she said.
Recall that on March 20, the Lagos State Government discharged the 44-year-old Italian man who introduced COVID-19 to Nigeria.
The index coronavirus case was discharged from the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, after he had been on 24-day quarantine at the infectious diseases hospital.
source: HealthWise
