Every Ailment Must Be Treated As COVID-19, NMA Tells Health Workers

• Events of last few weeks are unprecedented –NMA

• Association condoled with families of health workers who were killed by the infection

• Calls for vigilance and caution among frontline workers

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it’s troubled by the high rate of COVID-19 infection among health workers in Lagos State.

Ekohotblog reports that the association bemoaned the loss of lives of their members to the virulent infection, Imploring the front line workers to go about their duties with caution and vigilance.

It said the loss of lives of health workers has become a source of deep concern for its hierarchy.

The grievance of the association was spelt out in a joint statement by Adetunji Adenekan and Ime Okon,  chairman and secretary of the Lagos State Chapter of the association on Thursday,

The association also condoled with families of health workers who have fallen to the vicious pang of the disease.

They averred that happenings in recent weeks in the state are unprecedented and that medical practitioners are astonished by the development.

“There has been an increased rate of infections (morbidity) and deaths (mortality) of our most cherished members of the NMA, Lagos chapter.

“It is with a heavy heart that our most affectionate chairman on behalf of the State Officers Committee of the NMA, Lagos State, wishes to commiserate with the families of our members who have succumbed to the COVID-19 disease at this precarious time in Lagos State.

“May their souls rest in peace,’’ they said.

The association leadership also stressed the need for all healthcare workers to prioritise their wellbeing and safety this time and comply strictly to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 guidelines.

They urged the frontline workers to treat every patient as a potential COVID-19 case

“We also emphasise the need for a very high index of suspicion among healthcare practitioners and providers, particularly during this unpredictable second wave in the state.

The association recommended strict adherence to the basic COVID-19 Infection Prevention Control guide of wearing facemasks in public places, avoiding touching of the mouth, eyes and nose with unclean hands.

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Others include regular hand washing or sanitising with alcohol based sanitiser, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment at all times in the line of duty, avoiding crowded places and maintaining physical distancing in public gatherings.

“In the event of the experience of any COVID-19 related symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue, anosmia, dysgeusia, malaise, breathlessness), do not keep to yourself, urgently seek medical attention,’’ they advised.