EstherAkinsanya and sister
FeaturedHealth

Nigerian Nurse dies of coronavirus while sister ‘fighting for her life’ inside same hospital

3.7k

 

There have been many tough phone calls for the Akinsanya family in the past one week.

The phone call from the family, pleading for prayers for Esther Akinsanya, 55, and her sister Mary Idowu, 61 to defeat the coronavirus has been frequent within the past week.

But the toughest phone call was the one they received on Wednesday April 15, telling them Mrs. Esther Akinsanya had died.

The two sisters worked together at the same hospital and also lived together at home.

The pair, had been determined to continue through the pandemic. They were rushed to the hospital within hours of each other. Mary Idowu,  is now fighting for life in intensive care under a mechanical ventilator.

Ms Akinsanya, a “devoted and diligent” NHS nurse for more than 20 years, had finished her last shift two days before being admitted, the hospital said.

Frontline team: Ms Akinsanya is thought to have contracted the virus at her work

 

Mr Akinsanya, who has a younger sister and a three-year-old son, said: “They are tough women they didn’t mention the dangers they just got on with their jobs. They both tested positive and are convinced they got it at work. These heroes like my mum and aunt need to be protected. It’s just not good enough that people on the front line are dying like this.”

 

Mr Akinsanya said his mother had no known underlying health issue other than high blood pressure. His aunt has a heart condition and diabetes.

 

Mr Akinsaya said his aunt was on a ventilator and had improved slightly. “She is responding they have lowered the sedation. She is still fighting.”

A fund for Mrs Akinsanya’s funeral and family has so far raised more than £14,000.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

We committed $600m to health in Nigeria in 2023, says U.S. Govt.

The United States Government has disclosed that it has committed $20 billion...

Sachet alcoholic drinks now phased out, as NAFDAC begins  clampdown on producers, consumers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says...

WHO predicts over 35m new global cancer cases by 2050

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of...

NAFDAC alerts importers, healthcare providers to fake diabetes medication in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has...

NAFDAC conducts laboratory investigation into alleged ‘poisonous’ plantain chips in Lagos

Aftermath of a viral social media post alleging a woman fried plantain...

Danger alert! LASG warns residents against consuming unhealthy fried plantain chips

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has alerted residents to alleged...

NAFDAC DG orders market survey, testing as fake paracetamol floods market

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug and...

Borno youths drinking gin-soaked Lipton, 10-day-old human urine, others as drug alternatives, NDLEA raises alarm

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised alarm over new...

Rise in infectious diseases fueled by insecurity, poverty in 2023, WHO reveals

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that the rise of infectious...

Use antibiotics only on doctors’ prescription, says consultant physician

A Consultant Physician and Clinical Pharmacologist at the College of Medicine, University...

Yuletide: NAFDAC uncovers 240 fake wines, fizzy drinks, others, factories in Abia

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC) has uncovered factories in the...

Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce inagurates Atelly as 18th President, unveils programmes

Ray Atelly has been sworn in as the 18th President of the...

Kano guber poll ‘clerical error’: An Appeal Court judgment in a mire of controversy

The past few months have been characterized with legal tussles over the...

Doctors discover bracelet and earphones among 150 objects inside man’s stomach

Doctors were in “shock” after removing earphones, a bracelet, nuts and bolts...

Outbreak of Diphtheria hits 18 states as FG confirms 7,202 cases, 453 deaths

The Federal Government has confirmed 7,202 cases of diphtheria out of the...

NSIA Outlines Aggressive Healthcare Expansion Plan As Authority’s Infrastructure Intervention Excites Reps Committee Chairman

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority on Monday received members of the House...

Why I did not walk out of Super Falcons before FIFA female World Cup – Waldrum

In a recent podcast interview with ‘On The Whistle’ podcast. Randy Waldrum,...

Niger’s ousted president is being denied food and electricity, says European Union

The European Union Friday said it had “deep concern” about the treatment...