Doctor dies of COVID-19 in Cross River

Agam Ayuk, chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River state chapter, says a member has died of complications from COVID-19.

Speaking with journalists in Calabar, the state capital, Ayuk identified the deceased as Kate Okpa, a doctor working in the Ogoja area of the state.

He said nine other doctors are seriously ill and hospitalised as a result of the disease.

The NMA chairman said the rate of COVID-19 infections in the state is under-reported and that the government is not helping out.

“Currently, we have nine members who are infected with COVID-19. We lost a member in Ogoja, Rev Sister (Dr) Kate Okpa to COVID-19. It is something that is serious,” Ayuk said.

“The national response team has been around for almost two weeks now but the challenge we have in the state is that positive cases of COVID-19 are under-reported and the government is not helping out.

“Presently, we have pressure on UCTH. The reports you see are from NCDC or UCTH platforms. We thank God that NCDC is listening to us hence the state has two testing centres for COVID-19 and we are happy with the response we have gotten. Let the government of Cross River State listen to us and do their own part.”

In June, Godwin Akwaji, lawmaker representing Obudu constituency at the state house of assembly, died at UCTH after showing symptoms of COVID-19.

On July 5, doctors declared indefinite strike over alleged neglect of COVID-19 patients by the state government.

In a letter to Osagie Ehanire, the minister of health, the NMA had said the “poor attitude” of the government in handling the COVID-19 outbreak in the state is putting the lives of the doctors at risk.