NMA wants Zamfara to adopt reviewed health workers’ hazard allowance

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Zamfara state government to adopt the reviewed health workers hazard allowance approved by the federal government.

State NMA Chairman, Dr. Kabiru Shinkafi made this call in a statement on Tuesday in Gusau.

Shinkafi said: ”This is one of the outcome of our meeting and communique issued at the end of the executive meeting of the association on COVID-19.

“It became necessary for all health workers to enjoy hazard allowance and life insurance package for frontline health workers in isolation centres.

“On behalf of all the affiliated bodies of the NMA, Zamfara state chapter, I want to commend the state government under Gov. Bello Matawalle on the steps taken so far in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He said it was on record that the state has recorded two cases as at April 26.

The NMA chairman said that as custodians of the health system, “we are aware of the efforts made by your administration such as the provision and equipping of the Isolation Centre, Damba.

“We are also aware of government efforts at designated centres for the management of COVID-19 victims in need of critical care at Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital.

“As part of our efforts to complement government’s efforts against the spread of the disease, we are able to come up with the following observations,” the NMA chairman said.

Shinkafi said that the border closure should be enforced as it was evident that community transmission of the dreaded virus began from there.

“The Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital as an isolation centre should be used strictly for patients requiring critical care and ensure that the adjoining markets are closed down to limit the possibility of transmission.

“There is an urgent need to provide basic personal protective equipment, face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers to all health workers in general hospitals and primary health centres as they are first contact with suspected cases.

“We call on the state government to adopt the recently reviewed hazard allowance by the federal government which include life insurance package for frontline health workers in isolation centres, ” he added.

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The NMA chariman said that wearing of face masks should be made compulsory for every member of the society as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He stressed the need to enforce physical distancing and other precautionary measures across the state.

He appealed to the state ministry of health to release operational guidelines to hospitals as it would help in early detection and prompt management of COVID-19 patients.