On 18th April 2015, the Canadian trained Consultant Pathologist with the Ondo State Ministry of Health Dr. Osasan called to seek the assistance of the University College Hospital, Ibadan in the management of five patients who survived the Ode Irele neurotoxicity saga but were completely blind. 

 

We agreed to take over the management of the patients but requested for the samples of the local gin that were incriminated along with the fresh blood and urine samples of the patients.

 

I contacted the Consultant Neurologist on call, Dr. Steve Oluwole for a comprehensive evaluation of the patients because of the clinical presentation of the patients that had died and the ones that had survived since they all pointed to neurotoxicity. In addition, the Clinical Pharmacologists led by Prof Catherine Falade, the Laboratory Scientists and Specialist Advisers to the hospital, Prof Segun Ademowo and Prof John Anetor were all contacted for the biochemical analysis of the blood of these patients as well as the urine in addition to the three samples of local gin that was reportedly consumed by the patients.

 

The two teams of Clinical Pharmacologist and Laboratory Physicians and Laboratory Scientists have worked tirelessly for almost two weeks to confirm the likely cause of the neurotoxicity exemplified by sudden blindness and correlate their

findings with the toxicants in the blood, urine and the local gin samples. This is a display of the excellent working relationship between clinical medicine and laboratory medicine.

 

This morning, I am pleased to welcome you to this press conference and in attendance are the two teams involved in the management of the ‘Ode Irele 5’ andyou will hear the outcome of care and the laboratory findings from the teams and

we hope that this will dispel rumours and provide a scientific basis for the cause of the disease and we can showcase the excellent care provided by our experts.

 

One of the patients has volunteered to be at the press conference for the avoidance of doubts and to lay credence and relevance of this press conference. I wish to state that the Honourable Minister of Health and the Director of Nigeria Center for Disease Control have received all the necessary details prior to this press conference.

 

Local gin consumption is commonplace in Nigeria and this is one of the consequences apart from damage to other organs like the liver and the kidneys. 

We must all be careful in satisfying our cravings for these drinks.

You are all welcome.

 

Prof Temitope Alonge, Chief Medical Director, UCH