COVID- 19: NMA Writes Buhari Over Situation In Kogi, Seeks Intervention
THE Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA) has expressed worries over the way and manner the Kogi State government is handling the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic and appealed to President Buhari to call Governor Yahaya Bello and his officials to order.
They also urged the President to issue an order granting unfettered access and protection to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC) officials into the state to do all that is necessary to contain the virus.
Noting that the disease is gaining serious foothold in the state, the association urged the President to also order that testing facilities be sited in the Army Barracks or any secured location free from the encumbrances posed by the state government.
NMA President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, who made the appeal in an SOS message to Buhari, yesterday in Abuja, noted that the association has repeatedly called on all
Nigerians to avail the NCDC, an agency of government established by an Act of the National Assembly, unimpeded access and assistance to render its duties, but the Kogi State government stoutly resisted this advisory to the dismay of the association.
He observed that the Kogi State government has hardened its heart and ensured that Kogi people remain in the dark and untested, adding that the people are therefore, undiagnosed and untreated, even though COVID- 19 epidemiologic pattern has 80 percent cases that present with none or ver y mild symptoms, yet shedding the virus in their airways, innocently infecting others who may become sick and die. He also lamented that one of the patients, said to be a known community and religious leader referred from the Federal Medical Centre ( FMC), Lokoja, was diagnosed with COVID- 19 at the National Hospital in Abuja, but they are incredibly disturbed by the response of the state government through the commissioner of Information.
According to him, “The Commissioner not only described the process of arriving at the diagnosis as fraudulent, but he also went on to smear the frontline health workers and the NCDC on live national television. His use of profane words is capable of demoralising the exemplary goldwinning health workers and the untiring NCDC, which possibly can lead to a national catastrophe.
“The identification of these cases is through testing, according to standardised protocols. The implied consequences of these unbecoming actions are what the NMA condemns.”
“The attitude of the Kogi State government is both ignorantly meddlesome and irresponsible. It is a demonstration of undisguised hatred against the people it swore to protect and nurture.
“The state government need reminding that the NCDC is empowered to ‘ prevent, detect, monitor and control’ activities and programmes for the national response against infectious disease epidemics and other public health emergencies; and also to ‘ lead, develop, coordinate’ these activities in the country.
“This advisory has become necessary, even as the nation is considering the further easing of the lockdown given the fact that Kogi State borders 11 other states of the federation and Lokoja, the state capital, a significant road transport interchange.
“We remind Nigerian citizens to take personal responsibility for their safety and protection from COVID- 19 now more than ever before.” Faduyile restated that on no account should healthcare professionals at any health facility in Kogi or elsewhere be harassed or intimidated on account of rendering avowed services as it relates to appropriate management of COVID- 19 patients, urging health workers to continue to perform their functions and strongly advised them to protect themselves first before treating and saving others.