HEALTH WORKERS IN AKWA IBOM HAVE CALLED OUT THE GOVERNMENT ON PARTIAL LOCK DOWN POLICY

Following the rapid spread of this deadly virus COVID-19, Health workers in Akwa Ibom State have called on the government to apply partial lockdown policy as one of the measures in containing the raging COVID-19 disease currently ravaging the country in a communique issued by a conglomeration of health care professional bodies being a coalition of the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA),National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Association of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (AMLSN) in a meeting held at the Pacemaker conference hall, Doctor's Mess, Uyo on Monday 23rd march 2020.

The meeting which had the executive leadership of all the professional Associations listed above was chaired by the chairman of NMA and three other chairmen.

  

The leadership observed with sadness the quick rise in the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria as confirmed by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), which has moved from 2 to 65 within few days . Presentation from the members of the four professions of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science on the state of preparedness at their various places of assignment following the event of the outbreak of COVID-19. The leadership of the professional bodies in the health sector of Akwa Ibom State is not being carried along by the Government in preparedness that maybe ongoing.
Some observations were made which included the current outbreak and rapid spread of the disease (CONVID-19)

The after delegation some resolutions were made and the include;

1. The leadership concluded that the government should make available adequate Personal Protective Equipments including face mask and gloves to all health facilities in the state.

2. The leadership calls on the government to increase its awareness effort by making available fliers, posters and other information, education and communication materials.

3. They also urged the government to translate radio jingles to other dialets like Pidgin, Annang, Ibeno, Ekid, Oron and Obolo languages for assimilation by residents of the state.

4. Radio stations were also called upon to donate airtime for the airing of these public health enlightenment jingles.

5. They also solicited that radio talk shows and phone-in-programmes should have special periods for heath enlightenments.

6. The leadership also called on the government to take the following immediate actions;

a) Set up Surveillance Screening Post at all points of entry (borders) into the state.
b) All motorist should be screened and proper data obtained at this points.

7. The leadership also suggests that all civil servants from level 12 and below should stay at home except for those on essential duties.

8. They also called on the government to enforce social distancing by placing a ban on all social gatherings of more than 50 person in line with the directives of the Presidential Task-force on COVID-19.  They also made asocial appeal to religious leaders and the general public to cooperate with the government.

9. All entertainment and relaxation spots, clubs, bars should be closed down. As an example effective from 12:00am on 26th March 2020, NMA will be temporarily shutting down  operations at Doctor's Mess.

10. As far as urgency is important, the leadership called on the following responses for workers protection:

-All health workers should be trained immediately on COVID-19.

-All health facilities should establish triage points with complete triage forms
and infrared thermometers for screening health workers and patients.

-In tertiary and secondary health centers all elective surgeries should be postponed,free medical outreaches should be suspended temporarily.

-All emergency entry points into tertiary and secondary health facilities should be strengthened with more resources and personnel.

   


11. The leadership calls on the government to immediately create isolation centers that are well equipped ventilators in strategic health facilities.

12. They called on public offices and private businesses to immediately institute hand hygiene measures and temperature checks at their entry points   

13. The leadership calls on the government to consult transport unions to immediately take proactive measures in ensuring social distancing within transport operations in Akwa Ibom State.

14. Religious leaders are also called upon to recognize their roles as opinion leaders and support the government in propagating not only sermons but correct and updated information on COVID-19.

15. They called on all cooperate organizations in the state,philanthropists,political leaders,faith-based organizations and well meaning individuals to immediately make financial and material donations to the state ministry of health's response on COVID-19. This will help to acquire more sanitizers,gloves,face mask,ventilators and other PPE.

While waiting for the government to enforce the lock down policy remember to always wash your hands properly,where you can't wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, avoid crowded places, if possible stay at home.

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