Health
THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has urged Anambra government to provide personal protective equipment in its facilities as well as incentives for doctors and all health workers, who would risk their lives to treat infected patients.
The state Chairman of NMA, Dr Emmanuel Monago represented by the vice chairman of the association, Dr Jide Onyekwelu, made the call at a news conference in Onitsha on Friday.
The association expressed concern over the inadequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment including face masks, ventilators and gloves to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Monago commended Gov. Willie Obiano for setting up isolation centres in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi, and for issuing directives that include the closure of markets, Churches and schools in the State.
He also commended civil service doctors in the State for suspending their one month strike in the interest of the people.
“But we urge the State government to provide personal protective equipment in the facilities as well as provide incentives for doctors and all health workers, who would risk their lives to treat infected patients.
“We also urge the governor to increase the staff strength of doctors in the public sector or make arrangement with private doctors in readiness for any outbreak in the state,” the chairman said.
Monago expressed the readiness of the association to collaborate with the State government to contain the spread of the global pandemic in the state.
The chairman, however, advised doctors to improvise their face masks, sanitisers and water with soap in their various hospitals while awaiting government’s supplies.
“We have further urged them to put a notice at the entrance to their facilities restraining visitors except the sick and their attendants,” he noted.
He enjoined members of the public to stay indoors, maintain social distancing, and always ensure regular hand washing with soap as well as the use of sanitisers.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, recently said the Nnewi isolation facilities was domiciled at Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Nnewi.
Other facilities, he said, were at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka and Onitsha General Hospital.
However, Adiniba said Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Ekwulobia General Hospital in Aguata Local Government Area and Umueri General Hospital in Anambra East Local Government Area have surged centres.
NAN
– March 27, 2020 @ 15:27 GMT
Tags: COVID-19: NMA urges Anambra govt. to provide protective equipment
