On Friday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) cried out to the danger their members are exposed to by patients who hide their health status.
Earlier within the week, the Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, while at a media briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 mentioned that about 40 health workers in the country had tested positive to the COVID-19 infection, urging them to be strict with precautionary measure by properly using personal protective equipment (PPE) to guard themselves against the disease.
Responding to the happening, the President of the NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile, noted that none of the more than 40 doctors and other healthcare workers who have tested positive to the virus or died, contracted the disease at isolation or treatment centres, instead they contracted the virus in general public and private health facilities while treating patients without access to personal protective equipment.
Appealing to its members, Dr, Francis warned doctors to be careful while testing anybody presented at the hospital for any ailment. He said every sick person is a potential COVID-19 patient until proven otherwise.
Urging the Federal Government to ensure the availability of PPE at public and private hospitals due to increased number of infected health workers, the NMA President said “At the end of today, given the trend of reports of positive COVID-19 cases by the NCDC, the country will definitely hit the 1000th figure.
“So far, over 40 doctors and other healthcare workers have tested positive with three doctors and one nurse paying the ultimate price.
“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 (and) 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.
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“NMA wishes to reiterate 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 presented at the hospital for any ailment as potential COVID-19 patient until proved otherwise. Our lives also matter!”
