The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has advised it members and other health workers in the country to consider everybody presenting at the hospital for any ailment as potential COVID-19 patient until proved otherwise.
In a statement signed by the President and Secretary General, Dr. Francis Faduyile and Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, respectively, the NMA lamented the situation where patients hide their details to the health personnel.
This, according to the group, has continued to endanger medical doctors and other healthcare workers leading to over 40 of them so far contracting the disease with four paying the supreme price in the country
The NMA frowned at the situation where some Very Important Personalities (VIP) refuse to report and stay in isolation centres, but rather opted to go to none accredited health facilities.
“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,” the NMA noted.
