A 500level student from department of Nursing sciences, faculty of allied health science ,college of health science, Amadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria due to graduate in 3months died recently from tuberculosis. It was suspected that she contacted this illment from the ward during her clinical postings. This young lady with great dreams has been life shortened due to circumstances that could have been controlled.
The nursing students of this university were really unhappy as it was confirmed that Safiyatu Hussein 500level nursing student who was the first child of her parents, a registered nurse started having symptoms months back and was admitted in the hospital before she died on Friday 20th July 2018.
Speaking with one of her colleague, she stated that she died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. She further explained that the deceased was exposed to the illness in the ward during her clinical postings. In addition, she made a call to the government stating that there should be adequate provision for precautionary materials such as gloves, face mask etc. “Patients are left to provide them for themselves and some are too poor to afford them” she added.
Speaking with another student, she also confirmed that Safiyatu died of Tuberculosis and also stated that the government should provide isolation units for TB patients and also increase their surveillance system for finding TB cases. Isolation unit for such serious illment will enable the nursing students to take precautions before entry.
A contrary opinion was shared by her colleague who feels that Safiyatu was careless to have allowed herself to get infected by such deadly illness:
“Partly negligence from her. For not treating the infection on time. I don’t really blame the government, I feel from a patient. While caring for an infected patient.”
Information confirmed that her parents are divorced. Her mother is a petty trader who struggles to send her to school so she could help her younger ones. It is very obvious that the deceased couldn’t afford the protection kits as her patients too which eventually led to her death.
Amadu Bello university nursing students cry out for government to intervene in protecting their lives. The provision of these protection kits by the government and also creating isolation units for illments like: TB, HIV/aids etc will go a long way to safeguard the lives of these innocent students. Urgent response is expected from the Nigerian federal government in order to prevent the reoccurrence of such untimely death of young and promising nursing students in Nigeria.
