A recent study conducted by Nigerian and American researchers has found that numerous individuals in Nigeria are experiencing neurological manifestations associated with neuro-long COVID. These manifestations include symptoms such as brain fog, mild cognitive impairment, fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, sensations of pins and needles, and muscle pain. The collaborative research involved experts from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and local institutions like the University of Lagos (Unilag) and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The findings underscore an urgent need for improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment options for neuro-long COVID-19 in Nigeria. Dr. Igor Koralnik, a key researcher, emphasized the importance of recognizing these neurological issues to provide appropriate care. He stated, “This is why we have to start by researching to demonstrate the need for diagnosis and clinical care of these patients and advocate for specialized outpatient clinics. If you don’t know that something exists, you can’t treat it.”
In a separate but equally concerning incident, a building collapse in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 10 lives, with seven individuals rescued from the debris. The collapse occurred in the Jegede Olorunsogo area of the Ona Ara local government. The Oyo State Fire Services received emergency calls around 2 a.m., leading to immediate rescue operations.
Rev. Akinyemi Akinyinka, General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services, confirmed the casualties and detailed the ongoing efforts. “Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distressed call at around 2 am this morning in the Jegede Olunloyo area, Ibadan, where 10 persons have been recovered from the debris of the collapsed building, while 7 persons were rescued alive,” he reported. He assured the public that rescue operations continue, focusing on locating anyone else who might still be trapped.
This tragic event brings to light the ongoing concerns regarding building safety standards in Nigeria. Structural collapses have become a distressing trend, especially in densely populated urban areas, raising alarms about the need for stricter building regulations and enforcement. Further updates on the rescue efforts and investigations into the cause of the collapse are anticipated as authorities and emergency responders remain on-site.
