COVID-19: Edo to stop unvaccinated doctors from treating patients

…As death toll hits 33

The Edo State Government has said from next week, unvaccinated doctors will be denied access to their patients.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa, who disclosed this during COVID-19 briefing in Benin City, the state capital, said teachers who have not been vaccinated would also not be allowed to go into classrooms.

He said other public servants in the state who are yet to be vaccinated would not be allowed to access government offices.

He said the state has recorded 49 new cases with three deaths within 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in the third wave to 33.

He said the government is worried that many people are not interested in taking the vaccines and moving freely without adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

“Government has reached a decision that unvaccinated persons will not access banks, worship and event centers, it will expire middle of this month.

“So, teachers would not be allowed to enter schools’ premises because we don’t want our children to be infected.

“Doctors, nurses and other health workers will not be allowed to attend to patients and likewise other civil servants and those coming to do business in government’s offices across the state.”

He further disclosed that about 93,000 persons have been vaccinated, representing two per cent of the 4.6 million population of the state.

“Our target is to move from two percent to 10 per cent and 40 per cent by year end. But our overall target is 60 percent translating to between 2.5 and 3 million population,” he said.

He urged residents to take the vaccines and adhere to safety protocols, noting that it would save the government from unnecessary costs and reduced mortality associated with COVID-19.