The Nigerian Medical Association has asked the government to take steps to improve the accuracy of Coronavirus testing in the country.
The association also called on the government to provide comprehensive life insurance in place for doctors and other health personnel that risk their lives in the line of duty.
The calls came against the background of the death of at least 20 medical doctors in a week in the country, as the virus infection spikes in its second wave.
The doctors’ body also called for adequate protection for its members as the COVID-19 infection gets more frightening.
They declared that their members are being paid pittance as hazard allowance, and warned that there are not enough Personal Protective Equipment available to doctors and other health workers in the frontline.
These demands were made by the Chairman of NMA in FCT, Dr. Enema Amodu, on Sunday through a statement.
“Over the last few days, I have received several calls and messages on the 20 doctors that died across the country from the deadly Coronavirus within a week. The focus seemed to have shifted away from the facts of the matter to the sensationalism now attached to it,” Amodu said.
“The fact remains that doctors and other health workers are being paid abysmally low hazard allowance.
“There are not enough PPE’s available to doctors and other health workers in the frontline.
“The turnaround time and accuracy of the testing for the Coronavirus should be improved upon.
“There should be comprehensive life insurance in place for doctors and other health personnel that risk their lives in the line of duty.
“Isolation centres should be properly equipped with drugs and personnel to manage cases as they come.
“This is a clarion call by the Nigerian doctors on behalf of her members and other colleagues in the frontline to protect us while we discharge our duties.
“The NMA wishes to appreciate the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who has reacted to our cry and has promised to improve on the welfare packages of doctors; and also the Honorable Minister of FCT, Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello who ensured the prompt payment of hazard allowance to FCT doctors.
“Once again, we mourn with our colleague’s family that have died. While we pray for their gallant souls to rest in peace, we also pray for those of us alive to remain so in good health.”
Meanwhile, the Association has also said Nigerians should not wait to see dead bodies on the streets before they believe that COVID-19 exists.
Professor Innocent Ujah, NMA president, made the call on Monday when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, saying Nigerians should take the restrictions by the government seriously.
He was reacting to the views by some Nigerians who believe that COVID-19 in Nigeria is a hoax because people are not dropping dead on the streets.
