The Nigerian Medical Association says Nigeria’s elites are avoiding Isolation Centres set up by the government and have as a result infected 40 doctors with the Coronavirus.
This was revealed in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr Francis Faduyile and Secretary-General, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote.
The association stated that more than 40 medical doctors aside other health workers have been infected with Coronavirus.
It was disclosed that no healthcare worker has contracted the disease at Isolation Centres
Part of the statement 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.
NMA wishes to reiterate 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
