COVID-19: Stop endangering our lives, Nigerian doctors beg patients

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says some patients are endangering the lives of health workers.

In a statement, Francis Faduyile and Olumuyiwa Odusote, chairman and secretary general of the medical association respectively, said while three doctors and one nurse have paid the ultimate price during the coronavirus pandemic, over 40 health workers have been exposed unduly.

The association said health workers need to be protected against contracting the virus while carrying out their jobs, calling on the federal government to expedite distribution of personal protective equipment those on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus pandemic.

“So far, over 40 doctors and other healthcare workers have tested positive with 3 doctors and 1 nurse paying the ultimate price,” the statement read.

“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.”

Africa has recorded 28,000 cases of COVID-19 and 1,800 deaths.  According to data obtained from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the continent has recorded over 8,000 recoveries.

Globally, over 2,850,000 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed. Although, 812, 465 patients have recovered, 198,116 deaths have been recorded.