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COVID-19: NMA Condemns Flouting Of Prevention Protocol
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of adherene to the COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical prevention protocols by citizens.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the association decries the flagrant disregard for health official counsels and admonitions, saying that adherence to the COVID-19 protocols is one of the sure ways to halt the spread of the virus.
The President of the NMA, Prof. Innocent Uja, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, called strict adherence to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC’s) protocol.
He reiterated the importance of using of face mask, regular hand washing and use of sanitizers and social as well as Physical distancing, especially as yuletide season close in on us.
His admonition is aimed at hammering home the severity and virulence of the virus as reality of the second wave dawns on the populace.
He also bemoaned the laid back approach regarding the effort at locally made vaccine as emergence of vaccine for the virus internationally gains momentum.
He said “The Council notes that the commencement of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the flagrant disregard for the non-pharmaceutical prevention protocols and waning efforts at containment of the scourge; while further noting the current concerns for vaccine access internationally whereas such serious conversations have yet to be intensified in Nigeria.
“Therefore, serious efforts to prioritize health including supplementary appropriation/ budgetary provision should be initiated by the government at all levels and the private sector coalitions to ensure the procurement and availability of consumables for effective response in the containment of COVID-19, especially with the upsurge of the infection. We also wish to advise the Government to procure the vaccines that have been reported to be effective for a further research study on Nigerians to confirm their efficacy and safety for the Nigerian populace.
“We passionately appeal to all Nigerians to take the COVID-19 prevention advisories very seriously in order to interrupt the transmission reduce ill-health and deaths from the dreaded disease. The strict adherence to the NCDC Protocol of use of face mask, regular hand washing and use of sanitizers and social as well as Physical distancing is very strongly advocated. Non-essential travels should not be embarked upon especially during this yuletide season and beyond.”
The association also lamented the brain drain in the health sector at a time when there services are of utmost importance to the nation, noting that effort to prevail upon these compatriots has proved abortive.
He also berated highly placed and privileged persons who go to foreign land for medical attention, saying their actions contribute to the deplorable state of Nigeria’s health sector and refusal to address the challenges bedeviling the sector.
“The council is saddened by the mounting difficulties faced by members especially the private health sector organizations in accessing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) N100 billion health intervention funds contrary to expectations.
“We bemoan the incessant spate of emigration of highly trained Nigerian Doctors and other health care professionals to greener pastures (brain drain) at a time when their services are critically needed in Nigeria; observing further that efforts at engaging these nationals have not yielded expected results.
“We are deeply worried that some Nigerians in privileged positions still embark on foreign medical treatments for conditions that could be easily managed in the country thereby reducing the opportunities for revamping the nation’s health sector and improving service delivery through their patronage of local health facilities.
“More deliberate and strategic efforts must be made by governments to ensure the return home of the Nigerian doctors and other health professionals in diaspora to contribute their quota to the improvement of health care delivery services as well as national growth and development.
Read Also: NMA Laments Stringent Conditions Put In Place By CBN To Health Intervention Fund
“Privileged Nigerians should demonstrate open confidence in the nation’s health care delivery system and as well as of patriotism by patronising the services, as we call for the establishment of the National Health Bank in order to fast-track the infrastructure, procurement of the state-of-the- equipment which helps to provide world-class health care for Nigerians in order to reverse medical Tourism.”
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