FG Debunks Rumour of Outbreak of Steven Johnson’s Syndrome

By Martins Ifijeh


The Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has debunked media publications that there was a recent outbreak of the Steven Johnson’s Syndrome (SJS), which was alleged to have killed at least one person in the country recently.

The minister, while setting the record straight in a release made available to THISDAY, said the disease was only the subject of discussion when the ministry, in collaboration with a marathon runner, Mr. Fadesola Adedayo, organised a press conference over the weekend to create awareness on SJS which is a rare medical condition that unfortunately took the life of the brother of the marathon runner, Dr. Adeyosola Adedayo in 2012.

The marathon runner organised the event in memory of his late brother who died as a result of the rare disease.

According to Adewole, he mentioned that Adedayo died about four years ago due to an adverse drug reaction to medications he took after sustaining a needle stick injury while managing a patient that was living with HIV infections, adding that the late doctor was managed for SJS at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba but died after few days due to severity of the disease.

Adewole, who at the event praised Fadesola Adedayo’s positive attitude of remembering the death of his brother by creating awareness through his 17-day marathon race from Abuja to Lagos also encouraged Nigerians to always report every case of adverse drug reactions through the Pharmacovigilance unit of NAFDAC.

He also mentioned that SJS was not a new disease, that it was first discovered in 1922.

In support of Adedayo’s marathon race, the minister directed all Federal Health Institutions along the track of the marathon race to offer free ambulance and emergency services to the runner.

The marathon runner Fadesola, who at the event thanked the minister and other dignitaries for their support, advised all Nigerians that jogging or running as a form of exercise promotes health and prevent risk of deadly diseases.

The Minister of Health declared open the marathon race with other dignitaries by jogging with Mr Fadesola Adedayo before bidding him farewell and wishing him a successful run to his final destination in Lagos.

Recall that over the weekend, there were publications by some media houses, (THISDAY not included) that SJS, a rare disease was currently threatening the health of Nigerians.