When the Ebola virus broke out in the world, everyone was scared, including healthcare professionals, because the virus had no known cure. In 2014, when a Liberian man named Patrick Sawyer entered Nigeria, little did anyone know that he had the dreaded virus. However, when he was brought to the First Consultants Medical Center in Lagos, all suspected he had chronic malaria. For the timely intervention of a selfless doctor named Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, who correctly diagnosed Swayer with the virus and swung to action. She ultimately sacrificed herself for the good of all.
Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh was a Nigerian physician who played a crucial role in containing the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014. Her bravery, dedication, and quick thinking helped prevent a potentially devastating epidemic in Nigeria. She was brave enough to discard the pressure mounted on her by the Liberian government to release the Ebola virus carrier for his conference in Calabar.
Adadevoh resisted and was noted saying she would prevent him from spreading the virus for the greater good of all. Her selfless act was indeed valuable, saving Nigeria and its neighboring countries from suffering the fatal fate. Her legacy and sacrifices have never been forgotten.
In this article from Naijassador, we will go in-depth to understand the selfless act of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh.
Early Life
Ameyo Stella Adadevoh was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 27, 1956. She came from a family of distinguished intellectuals and scientists. Her father, Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh, was a renowned physician and former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos. Her great-grandfather, Herbert Samuel Macaulay, was a prominent nationalist leader and scientist. Adadevoh was also a close relative to other prominent Nigerian leaders. She was the grand-niece of Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and a great-great-granddaughter to Sara Forbes Bonetta and Ajayi Crowther.
Education
Stella Adadevoh attended the Mainland Preparatory Primary School in Yaba, Lagos, from 1961 to 1962 for her primary school education. She later moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent two years before returning to Nigeria with her family. Adadevoh completed her primary school education at the Corona School, Yaba in Lagos, Nigeria from j1964 to 1968. She then went to the Queen’s School, Ibadan from 1969 to 1974 for her secondary school education. Adadevoh obtained medicine and a bachelor of surgery degree from the prestigious University of Lagos in 1981. She then went on to specialize in endocrinology and metabolism.
Career
Ameyo Adadevoh served for her one-year mandatory housemanship in 1981 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. While at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital for her residency, Adadevoh obtained her West African College of Physicians and Surgeons credential in 1983. After the successful completion of her residency, Adadevoh travelled to London to complete her fellowship in endocrinology at Hammersmith Hospital. On returning to Nigeria, Adadevoh began her practice at the First Consultants Medical Center in Lagos. She spent 21 years at this healthcare facility as the Lead Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist. As a certified endocrinologist and physician, Adadevoh was the first to alert the Nigerian Ministry of Health when H1N1 spread to Nigeria in 2012.
Ameyo Adadevoh’s Encounter with Ebola
In July 2014, Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American diplomat, arrived in Lagos feeling unwell. He was taken to First Consultants Medical Centre, where Adadevoh was the lead consultant physician. She diagnosed Patrick Sawyer with the Ebola disease instead of the malaria he initially explained he once had and was untreated.
Despite initial pressure to discharge Sawyer, Adadevoh recognized the potential for Ebola and insisted on isolating him. She contacted the Nigerian government and alerted them to the possibility of an outbreak.
Adadevoh’s quick action and decisive leadership were crucial in containing the spread of the virus. She prevented Sawyer from leaving the hospital and spreading the virus to others. She also implemented strict quarantine procedures for hospital staff and patients who had contact with Sawyer.
Despite the calls for Sawyer to be released by the Liberian government, Adadevoh did all she could to prevent this from happening. With her selfless actions, Adadevoh saved Nigeria from the impact of the spread of Ebola. She provided preventive gears to keep the hospital staff from contracting the virus. With her call for quick action, the Nigerian government and its ministry of health set up Ebola Emergency Operations Center. On October 20, 2014, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free by WHO.
Personal life
Ameyo Adadevoh was married to Afolabi Emmanuel Cardoso and the couple tied the knot on April 26, 1986. The couple had one son, Bankole Cardoso. Afolabi Emmanuel Cardoso is a Nigerian banker and entrepreneur. He is the father of Bankole Cardoso and husband to Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh. He is the co-founder of Easy Taxi Nigeria with his son and the current Investment Director at Factor(E) Ventures.
Cardoso worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs in New York City. He then returned to Nigeria in 2012 to co-found Easy Taxi Nigeria with his son, Bankole. The company quickly became a success, providing a safe, reliable, and convenient way to travel around Lagos. It also created employment opportunities for thousands of drivers and helped to formalize the taxi industry in Nigeria. In 2017, Easy Taxi Nigeria was acquired by German company MyTaxi. Cardoso continued to serve as the company’s CEO until 2020, when he left to pursue other interests.
Currently, Cardoso is the Managing Director of Afolabi Cardoso & Associates, a financial advisory firm that provides consulting services to businesses and individuals. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DRASA Trust, a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Nigeria. Afolabi Emmanuel Cardoso is a successful businessman and entrepreneur who have made significant contributions to the Nigerian economy and society. He is a role model for young people in Nigeria and across the world.
Her son Bankole Cardoso is an entrepreneur and founder of Easy Taxi in 2013. Cardoso is also involved in various other initiatives. He is a trustee of the DRASA Trust, a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Nigeria which was created in his mother’s honor. He is also a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. Cardoso’s achievements have been recognized both within and outside Nigeria. He was listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the 30 most promising African entrepreneurs under 30 and has been featured on CNN Africa Start-Up and The World Economic Forum.
Diagnosis and Death
While treating the Ebola patient, Dr. Adadevoh contracted the virus and she was confirmed to have tested positive on August 4, 2014. She however, began her treatments but she couldn’t make it out alive.
Unfortunately Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh contracted the Ebola virus which eventually led to her death. She died in quarantine on August 19, 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria. The government cremated her body as Ebola patient’s bodies couldn’t be released to their families. Her family was given her ashes, which were then used to hold a private interment ceremony by her loved ones on September 12, 2014, in Lagos.
To ensure that Mr Sawyer could stay within the confines of the isolation center made in the hospital, Dr. Adadevoh and three of her colleagues worked closely together. Her colleagues were Amos Abaniwo, a doctor; Justina Ejelonu, a nurse; and Evelyn Uko, a nurse aide. All of these persons eventually paid the ultimate price, like Dr. Adadevoh, after contracting the disease from Mr Swayer. Thanks to these selfless individuals, they all worked tirelessly to ensure the virus was contained to the bare minimum.
In total, there were only 20 Ebola virus cases in Nigeria, and 5 to 6 individuals died alongside Dr. Adadevoh and her colleagues at First Consultants Medical Center in Lagos. Subsequently, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free in 2014. This was a huge feat, coupled with the fact that Nigeria’s healthcare system could not handle the impact of the virus if it had spread. The Nigerian doctors and healthcare professionals were on strike during the virus outbreak, making it more difficult and dangerous for everyone if the virus went out uncontained.
Adadevoh’s Legacy
Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh is remembered as a national hero in Nigeria. Her courage, compassion, and commitment to public health stopped the Ebola outbreak and saved countless lives.
The Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh Health Trust (DRASA) is a non-profit health organization established to honor the selfless doctor.
The movie 93 Days was also dedicated to her honor and depicts the story of Adadevoh, the treatment of Sawyer by Adadevoh and other medical staff at First Consultant Medical Center. On October 27, 2018, Google honored the doctor on what would have been her 62nd birthday with a Google Doodle.
Other things done in her honor include a road named after Adadevoh in Abuja in February 2020. The female medical student hostel of Babcock University is also named after Dr. Adadevoh.
Adadevoh was awarded numerous honors for her bravery, including the Order of the Niger, the highest national honor awarded by the Nigerian government.
In addition to her role in containing Ebola, Adadevoh is also remembered for:
Adadevoh was known for her dedication to her patients and compassionate and caring nature. She was always willing to go the extra mile to help her patients.
Her commitment to public health: Adadevoh was a vocal advocate for preventive medicine and public health education.
Her inspiration to others: Adadevoh’s story has inspired countless people to pursue careers in medicine and public health.
Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh was a true hero who made a lasting impact on Nigeria and the world. Her legacy lives on through her courage, compassion, and commitment to saving lives.
Honors and Awards for Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh
- Posthumous Rotary Award on October 3, 2014, by Rotary Club of Abuja-Metro
- National and Community Service Award on October 5, 2014, awarded by Trinity House Church
- Honorary Doctorate Degree: Doctor of Letters, Honors Causa, awarded on October 11 11, 2014, by Baze University
- Nollywood Movies Awards given The Nollywood Humanity Award on October 18, 2014.
- Arise Award on October 25, 2014, by the Redeemed Christian Church of God
- Posthumous Award given on November 3, 2014, by Women in Management, Business Organizations and Public Service (WIMBIZ)
- Exemplary Leadership Award November 12, 2014, by Pathcare Laboratories
- Distinguished Service Award on November 15, 2014, by the Guild of Medical Directors FCT Abuja
- The Commemorative Plaque was given on November 19, 2014, by the Nigerian American Medical Foundation
- Nigeria’s Hero of the Year Award was given on November 30, 2014, by The Sun Awards
- 2014 SEC Integrity Award given on December 1, 2014, by the Security and Exchange Commission
- Number 1 Humanitarian Everyone Should Know About (2014) awarded on December 11, 2014, by the International Medical Corps UK
- Woman Who Shaped 2014 awarded on December 22, 2014 by The Guardian
- Number 1 Global Thinker of 2014 awarded on December 23, 2014 by Lo Spazio della Politica
- Leading Woman of 2014 awarded on December 23, 2014 by CNN
- Person of The Year 2014 awarded on December 31, 2014 by Okeke
- Nigerian of the Year Award awarded on January 4, 2015 by the National Infinity Magazine
- Honorary Doctorate Degree: Doctor of Science, Honors Causa awarded on January 17 17, 2015 by the National Open University of Nigeria
- First Woman awarded on March 11, 2015, by First Bank of Nigeria
- Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) given on October 11, 2022, by the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh was a unique human who sacrificed herself for millions of people in Nigeria. She took upon herself the great task of containing the deadly virus, Ebola, in her hospital without allowing it to spread out. Even when she knew what might happen to her in the end, she stood unfazed by the outcome of her actions. Her sacrifice saved millions of Nigerians from the virus and death. Her legacy lives on even in death. Her son and husband survive her. The Nigerian government has also honored her for her love and work. She is greatly missed and remembered by everyone in Nigeria and the Diaspora.
Things you need to know about Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, a Nigerian physician.
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Written by Sarah Aboje
