ThrowBack Thursday: Remembering the Ebola Heroine – Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh
Yesterday, Nigeria remembered the death of Dr Stella Ameyo Adaadvoh. She was the heroine who bravely risked her own life to contain the index case of Ebola in Nigeria. This singular act saved millions and ensured the disease didn’t do more harm than it could have. She literally gave her life to save us.
Today even as we share this post on her selflessness, we remember her fondly as;
- As a loving mother and wife. Her mothering transcended her kids to everyone she met and treated.
- TW Magazine’s first-ever “Ask the Doc” columnist, helping our readers with pressing issues in the health sector.
- She was a close friend of TW’s Publisher & Editor-in-Chief – Mrs Adesuwa Onyenokwe.
- As a Doctor, she always went above and beyond for her patients. No wonder she threw herself in harm’s way to save her country.
- She was always smiling and exceptionally committed to her job. It showed her passion and dedication to the profession.
To give you some insight to how much she helped those who came to her with a need, here are some of her responses in her “Ask the Doc” feature in Today’s Woman.
Q: Dear Doc, what are the symptoms of heartburn and how do you prevent or treat it?
Doc: The symptoms of heartburn are a pepperish or burning sensation in the chest., while some people feel a tightness in their chest. Some people complain of heat in the chest under the rib cage, some say the pain moves to their back, some people vomit, some don’t. Some people complain of it waking them up in the night, some say they vomit blood and some say it makes their stool dark. However, the main symptom of heartburn is chest pain, to most people it may feel like a heart attack, but there are ways to investigate; A Barium meal test or an endoscopy. Heartburn can be caused by many things: gastritis, which is the peeling off of the stomach lining, forming a wound which is called an ulcer. Ulcers are caused as a result of eating spicy and peppery food like Thyme, surry, pepper or garlic. Also, taking alcohol and smoking can also cause Ulcers. Using medications like Felvin, Diclofenac may also cause ulcers. Caffeinated drinks like coffee, teas and citrus fruits can also cause it. If you are prone to getting ulcers, you need to eat regularly because the food helps to dampen the acids which normally causes the ulcer. Also, there are medication a doctor can prescribe to help with the ulcers like an anti-biotic to eradicate a bacteria associated with the ulcer (helicopter pylori) also antacids can be taken to neutralize the acids. Heartburn is the symptom of an ulcer. It can either be a symptom or reflux, which means that the acid comes up after eating because there is a weakness in the muscles. They all belong to the family of Peptic Ulcer Diseases.”
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Dr Stella’s passing on 19th August 2020 is a testament to her dedication to professionalism, humanity and the greater good. And we would be doing an injustice to her memory if we do not recognize those who are filling up her shoes today. The frontline workers who are risking their lives daily to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic are all Stella Ameyoa Adadevoh. Each one making their mark, and saving millions of lives. We owe them our sincere gratitude. To read more on them, take a look at our new column – Nigerian Frontline Workers Digest.
Thank you Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, and all the frontline workers – for your selfless service.
