Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, Physician credited for curbing the spread of Ebola in Nigeria in 2014
Ameyo Stella Adadevoh was a Nigerian physician who helped to prevent the spread of the Ebola crisis in Nigeria of 2014. The Ebola virus reached Nigeria through Patrick Sawyer, an infected Liberian who was visiting Nigeria.
When Sawyer became sick, he was taken to the First Consultants Medical Centre, (FCMC) Lagos, where Ameyo, was working at the time as the Lead Consultant physician and Endocrinologist. There Sawyer was diagnosed with the Ebola virus by Ameyo. Despite pressure from Liberian officials that Sawyer should be discharged to attend a conference, Ameyo resisted it all and was able to keep him in hospital. Her singular act of bravery and professional astuteness saved a whole nation a most likely health catastrophe as the virus was contained. In Ameyo’s own words, her action was ‘for the greater public good.’ Sadly, Ameyo and three of her colleagues contracted the virus and died as a result. She was honoured by Google Doodle on 27 October 2018, her birthday.
Ameyo Stella Adadevoh is our Woman of the Week because she represents bravery, leadership, selflessness, and service.
Sources:
BBC News. Ebola crisis: How Nigeria’s Dr Adadevoh fought the virus, Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29696011
DRASA Health Trust. Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.drasatrust.org/dr-adadevoh/
Daily Post. Google honours Dr Ameyo Adadevoh with doodle, Tue. 07 May 2019, https://dailypost.ng/2018/10/27/google-honours-dr-ameyo-adadevoh-doodle/
