By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin.
Doctors in Kwara State through the Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) have resolved not to treat or consult any patient until they get Personal Protective Eguipment (PPE).
The NMA Chapter therefore directed it’s members not to attend to any patients without PPE.
A statement jointly signed by the Association’s Chairman and Secretary, Dr Kolade Solagberu and Dr Majeed Mohammed respectively in Ilorin said it noted that there were inadequate provision of PPEs in majority of the public and private hospitals in Kwara State.
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Also, NMA also lamented an environment of lack of preparedness for COVID-19 pandemic by majority of the hospitals in the state.
”We commend the efforts of the state government on COVID-19 in equipping the Kwara State Isolation Centre at the Specialist Hospital, Sobi.
”But there is lack of motivation for the frontline health workers in terms of securing life insurance, indemnity and other incentives.
”All doctors/health workers should be provided with the appropriate PPEs in the line of duty in all private and public hospitals.
”Government and heads of hospitals should make provision for these items and they should be readily available for use.
”In view of this, the State Executive Committee (SEC) has therefore directed its members not to consult or treat patients without PPEs,” the NMA statement said.
The doctors also complained of lack of basic and intensive care equipments such as infrared thermometers, monitors, ventilators and others which they demanded should be made available henceforth.
Also, they said ” isolation centres should be well furnished and manned by trained personnel,” .
The NMA also encouraged doctors to have high index of suspicion as many cases may be asymptomatic.
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”Lockdown should be properly enforced and there should be availability of public ambulances and emergency medical teams to convey emergencies to the hospital.
”We enjoin the public to avoid panic and stigmatisation as COVID-19 is not a death sentence, ” the association said.
It, however, encouraged exposed members of the public to the two COVID-19 cases in the state to volunteer information freely and ensure self-quarantine.
