The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has drawn the attention of the Federal government to doctors and other health workers who are in the forefront of the fight against the Coronavirus, urging the government to provide comprehensive life insurance for them as they risk their lives in the line of duty.
The Nigerian Medical Association also asked the government to improve upon the accuracy of the testing of Coronavirus.
In addition, the organization called for adequate protection for its members as the COVID-19 infection gets more frightening.
The Nigerian Medical Association went further to complain about the remuneration of the doctors and other health workers who have been helping to contain the spread of the virus, stating that they were being paid abysmally low hazard allowance, and adding that there there are insufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available to doctors and other health workers in the frontline.
The Chairman of The Nigerian Medical Association in the nation’s capital Abuja, Dr. Enema Amodu, said this in a statement issued on Sunday.
He said, “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.
“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.
“Isolation centers 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 Nigerian Medical Association 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.”
As of today, Nigeria has recorded over 84,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with over 1,200 of them unfortunately resulting in deaths.
