The Ogun State Government has disclosed that all persons admitted at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, following the recent chemical inhalation incident in some schools within the town, have been discharged after receiving medical attention and being certified fit by health personnel.
The Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, made this known during an engagement with parents, guardians and residents at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School on Saturday.
Recall that a gas leakage had occurred on Friday, affecting over 100 students and teachers in the local government.
The schools affected include of Our Ladies Grammar School, Epe Garage; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Imosan; Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, Imosan; St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imosan; St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure and Orphanage Primary School, Imosan.
Coker stated that the state government would deploy ambulance crews to all wards in Ijebu-Ode to ensure prompt emergency response and any patient taken to secondary health facilities requiring advanced care would be immediately transferred to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
“There were persons admitted at the Ijebu-Ode State Hospital and others at Ijebu-Ife who were affected by the methane emission. Altogether, we had adults and children admitted, and I am glad to say that all have been discharged. They are hale and hearty.
“Methane is a non-toxic gas; however, it competes with oxygen which our body and brain need to function properly, and that is why it is of concern to us. In mild concentrations, it may not produce symptoms, but moderate exposure can cause fatigue, rapid heartbeat and breathing difficulties.
“In severe cases, it could lead to convulsion or unconsciousness, but we thank God that none of the patients recorded severe symptoms in the last 24 hours,” she said.
The commissioner urged residents not to panic in the event of any unusual occurrence, advising them to make use of the ministry’s emergency response line.
She disclosed that district surveillance nurses, nursing officers and rapid response personnel had already been deployed to the community, while the ministry had also informed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control about the incident.
“If you smell, hear or notice anything suspicious, please alert us immediately so that our personnel can investigate. We have environmental health officials, rapid response teams and adequate oxygen supply in our ambulances and health facilities across the state,” she added.
The commissioner added that toxicology tests would also be conducted on some of the affected children to determine the level of gas exposure.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed that gas analysers had been installed around affected schools to monitor air quality in the environment, adding that health officers would also be deployed to schools in the area beginning Monday.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, urged parents and residents to remain calm, assuring them that the state government would continue to prioritise the welfare and safety of students across the state.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed that the command, alongside the School Protection Squad established by the Inspector-General of Police, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and other specialised departments, had been deployed to secure schools and surrounding communities.
He added that drones were already being used to survey and monitor the affected environment to ensure the safety of students and residents.
