Monkey Pox victim commits suicide in Bayelsa hospital

A victim of Monkey Pox receiving treatment at the quarantine centre in the Niger Delta University Hospital (UNDTH) Okolobiri, has committed suicide.

It was gathered that the victim, whose name was not disclosed took his life in the early hours of Monday.

The Bayelsa State Government confirmed the development in a joint press conference involving the Commissioners of Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson; Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, the Chief Medical Director, NDUTH, Prof. Dimie Ogoina and other senior health officials.

Etebu disclosed that the deceased was among the 21 suspected cases of ‘MonkeyPox’ that were being managed at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH).

He expressed regret that the patient took his own life despite speedily recovering from the disease.

He ‎said the deceased medical history did not suggest any mental illness or features of depression.

He maintained that the patient did not die from the Monkey pox disease.

Etebu said that the police and his family had been duly contacted and all due diligence was being followed for his funeral.

He sympathised with the family and said that a committee had been put in place to evaluate his past and recent clinical and social history.

He said the examination wound determine “if there were undisclosed mental illness or personal family problem that could have justified the suicide”.

The Nation