Lokoja
The coallation of professional bodies in the health sector in Kogi,have expressed concern over tover the lifting of ban on religious gatherings in the state.
Duaglobalnews reports that the state government, through its Commissioner for Information and Communication Mr Kingsley Fanwo announced the lifting on Thursday in Lokoja.
The ban was part of the measures aimed at containing the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), kigi state chapter, Dr Kabiru Zubair, on behalf of the group in Lokoja urged the government to thread with caution on the lifting of ban on gathering at this time.
He said the need for caution became important because the nation was just entering the second phase of the Covid-19 transmission.
The health professionals noted that the community transmission was gradually over taking the imported cases and set to escalate in the coming days.
”As those already infected go through the incubation period without being identified, community transmission is likely to increase.
”Although, Kogi has not recorded any case so far but, two of it’s indigenes have died of the disease outside the state and the potential for community spread still exist.
”The preventive measures put in place by the government initially is commendable, but government must be very tactical in relaxing these measures, especially with respect to gathering in large numbers because of the highly contagious nature of this strain of Coronavirus,” he said
Zubair stressed that the Task Force, comprising all healthcare workers in Kogi was worried as the state’s healthcare system remained fragile and might not be able to withstand any catastrophic emergencies.
He added that the Task Force had in the last three weeks carried out weekly appraisal of the health system on the level of preparedness for Covid-19 in the state but observed little or no change in most of the healthcare institutions visited, with respect to case management.
”We observe the slow pace of work at the designated isolation centre in the state.
”As the leaders of the frontline staff in health care delivery in Kogi, we urge the Government to expedite action in equipping the isolation and treatment centres to a befitting standard,” he added.
The NMA state chairman urged all health workers at all levels in the state to remain vigilant at all times, adding they might likely encounter cases of COVID-19 as community spread is set to escalate in the coming days.
”Under no circumstances should our members rush to attend to patients without donning appropriate personal protective gears.
”We want to use this opportunity to call on government at all levels to improve on the hazard allowance of healthcare workers, especially those exposed to high risk of infection.
”We urge the general public to take all necessary precautions to stay safe by observing social distancing, regular hand hygiene and avoid touching of mouth, eyes and nose without proper hand hygiene.
”Avoid over crowded events, stay at home and avoid unnecessary outing, observe cough ettiquete and use face mask when you have cough.
”Those that have been exposed should remain in self isolation, but when symptomatic, they should call the NCDC hotline or state epidemiologist and ensure to give correct history to the attending Healthcare personnel, “the further advised.
The health professional bodies include: Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN).
