By Efegadirim MADUABUCHI, Calabar

 Dr. Thomas Agan, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) says survivors  of Central Bank of Nigeria, Calabar branch gas explosion are out of danger list.

 16 persons were initially admitted at the UCTH on March 11, after gas cylinder exploded causing huge fire at the Calabar Road location of the CBN branch.

 According to UCTH Chief Medical Director, two persons died on arrival at the hospital. On the whole three persons died on day one, while the fourth died the following day.

 Dr. Agan, who is also the chairman of committee of CMDs and Medical Directors, Federal Tertiary Hospitals, however, said that a number of fatalities were recorded out of 16 persons

 He informed two of the four victims brought in critical conditions have been discharged. One of the discharged is a woman with a history of asthma.

 “The other one with head injury was also discharged after examination by a neuro-surgeon. Virtually all of the victims have been discharged, except five who are all doing well,” the UCTH CMD said.

 He said the UCTH health team had been taking care of the victims of the gas explosion; adding that “basically we are taking care of their burns, infections and protecting the victims. They are out of danger list,” he stated.

 He informed that the gas explosion victims have been communicating with their family members. “Three of the survivors are likely going home on or before this Tuesday, depending on their response to treatment,” Dr Agan said.

 He however, said two of the survivors would still stay back for observation and care; adding that the Hospital was able to cope with the challenge due to dedicated manpower.

 “We were able to cope because we are one of the largest tertiary hospitals with good and dedicated manpower. We belief in saving lives first. When we received information on the incident, we mobilised the ambulances, nurses, doctors and every staff that could render help to the casualty unit and the CBN. Right now, no relatives of the victims have been asked to pay a dime since the patients were admitted. Every expenses is borne by the UCTH and occasionally, the CBN,” the CMD said.

 He also commended the CBN management for what he described as “its prompt response, concern and standing by the affected staff.”

 He said the Teaching Hospital had a trained emergency response team that met the challenge posed by the gas explosion incident at CBN, Calabar. But we still require assistance from all stakeholders, he added.

 “We will appreciate if individuals, corporate organisations and government at all levels assist in providing the UCTH with a state-of-the-art facilities,” Dr. Agan said.