Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has claimed that Nigerian elites who refused to go under self-isolation are responsible for infecting 40 Doctors with COVID-19.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Association’s President Dr. Francis Faduyile and Secretary-General, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote.
According to the statement, the continued refusal of the nation’s elites to get treated at accredited isolation centres have exposed the health care staff to COVID-19.
It also disclosed that all the 40 doctors who tested positive for the virus came in contact with patients who wanted to receive treatment at private medical facilities and no healthcare staff working at accredited centres contracted the virus.
NMA has therefore advised all hospitals to treatevery patient as a potential COVID-19 patient until test prove otherwise.
NMA’s statement titled “As Nigeria hits the 4-Digit COVID-19 Incidence Figure: An Appeal to all Nigerians to help save the lives of Healthcare Professionals.” 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 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.
ALSO READ: Oyo Govt rejects 1800 bags of rice donated as Palliatives over Weevil Infestation
“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. 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!”