Coronavirus: We are now receiving patients suffering from Chloroquine poisoning- Lagos state government

The Lagos State government says hospitals in the state have begun receiving patients suffering from Chloroquine overdose. Recall that US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday March 19th that the drug is a possible cure for Coronavirus. Some Nigerians immediately rushed to the pharmacists to purchase and drink Chloroquine as a preventive measure.

The Lagos State government, through the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Health, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih was quoted by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile, as saying that some hospitals in the state are now treating patients who took too many quantities of chloroquine, leading to poisoning. Finnih urged residents of the state to desist from the massive consumption of chloroquine in the hope of curing coronavirus, adding that the best to do is to visit hospitals.

The tweet from Akosile reads

Please note: Hospitals Now Receiving Patients Suffering From Chloroquine Poisoning, Says Gov @jidesanwoolu’s SSA on Health, Dr @Oreoluwa_Finnih. She urged people against massive consumption of Chloroquine as a measure to fight #coronavirus.”

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Professor Akin Abayomi, also spoke at a press briefing where he stated that no evidence yet to back up claims of Chlorquine being effective in the treatment of Coronavirus

[CHLOROQUINE]: The Commissioner for Health @ProfAkinAbayomi has appealed to Lagosians to desist from using Chloroquine as a “cure”.. says NO EVIDENCE YET to back it up and it may do more harm to the body. #Covid19Lagos @LSMOH @Riddwane @jidesanwoolu @drobafemihamzat pic.twitter.com/sATrPYL2bQ
— The Greater Lagos Project (@GreaterLagosNG) March 20, 2020