Treat everybody presented for ailment as potential COVID-19 patient, NMA tells members

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has advised its members across the federation to consider anyone seeking treatment at the hospital for any ailment as a potential COVID-19 patient until proved otherwise.

The NMA also appealed to the federal government to expedite action on distributing personal protective equipment to public and private hospitals without delay.

This charge is coming hours after about 40 doctors and other healthcare workers tested positive to COVID-19 with three doctors and one nurse paying the ultimate price.

In a statement jointly signed by its Pretty, Dr. Francis Faduyile and Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, the general secretary respectively, the association expressed worry that some VIPs who are positive have refused to report to and be admitted at isolation and treatment centres for treatment.

The statement reads: “So far, over 40 doctors and other healthcare workers have tested positive with three doctors and one nurse paying the ultimate price.

“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 I, and treatment centres for treatment, but 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.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: FG Inaugurates Joint Task Team To Control Movement Of Farm Produce

“NMA wishes to reiterate 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.

“We also remind our members all over the federation to consider everybody presenting at the hospital for any ailment as potential COVID-19 patient until proved otherwise. Our lives also matter.”