The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has advised Nigerians not to hide any information, including their travel history or contact with persons who have or had Covid-19, from health workers.
He gave the advice at the media briefing organised by Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, in Abuja, Friday.
Full disclosure of their accurate information to health workers, the Minister stressed, would save the patient and the health workers.
“I must again emphasise that citizens are obliged to disclose complete and accurate information to health workers, especially about their travel history or contact with persons who have or had COVID-19.
“Full disclosure allows health workers to promptly, investigate, diagnose and treat correctly, to improve chances of patient survival and recovery.
“The right information also keeps the health workers safe. Withholding the truth puts both the user and caregiver at risk, but also other patients on site.
“Several Health workers, who must then self-isolate as a result of exposure to a positive patient, will also be put out of circulation.
“This is not what we can afford with the limited number of Health workers in the country.
“Infected persons also need not hide themselves at home till their condition so deteriorates that they have to be rushed to the hospital in critical state.
“Some among the fatalities we have seen could have been saved if they were presented earlier.”
Ehanire further appealed that: “It bears restating that persons who have fever of unclear origin and cough should first put on a mask or a face covering of any type, isolate themselves from friends and family and call the national emergency number 112, or the NCDC toll free number 08009700 0010, or report themselves to the nearest health facility for referral.
“Several persons who had COVID-19 have been successfully treated and discharged, as proof that most people do survive the disease.
“I again request the cooperation of those who test positive, with health officials to accept any of the designated isolation and treatment centres, even if you feel very well.”
