By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has called on government to, as a matter of urgency, provide personal protective equipments (PPEs) for both private and general hospitals to save the lives of healthcare workers and Nigerians.
In a statement on Friday, the President, NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile disclosed that over 40 doctors and other healthcare workers have tested positive with three doctors and one nurse paying the ultimate price.
He lamented that the health workers died due to lack of personal protective equipments while treating patients at public and private health facilities, who have refused to disclose important medical and travel information that would have facilitated diagnosis for coronavirus infection.
Faduyile also expressed worry over some VIPs in the society who have refused to be admitted at isolation centers for treatment, but rather prefer to stay at non-accredited centers.
“This very disturbing and unsettling development comes against the unfolding scenario as reported in the media that some VIPs in the society are refusing to report to and be admitted at Isolation and Treatment centres for treatment, rather, prefer to stay at other non-accredited facilities.
“The Association perceives that by continued refusal to adhere to instructions, some citizens have vowed to make healthcare workers very vulnerable to contracting the disease.
“NMA wishes to re-iterate that none of the infected healthcare workers or those that died contracted the disease at an Isolation and Treatment centre, but in general public and private health facilities while treating patients many of whom refused to disclose important medical/travel information that would have increased the suspicion and facilitate early diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.
“NMA therefore appeals once again to government to expedite action on distributing PPEs to public and private hospitals without delay.
“We also remind our members all over the federation to consider everybody presenting at the hospital for any ailment as potential COVID-19 patient until proved otherwise. Our lives also matter,” he said.
