113 health workers infected, says Fed Govt

NEWS

113 health workers infected, says Fed Govt

May 1, 2020

The number of health workers infected by coronavirus has risen to 113, the government said on Thursday. The figure was 40 last week.

The government said most of the health workers including doctors are from private hospitals and clinics.

It said some of the health workers treat coronavirus patients in private hospitals and clinics without taking the necessary precautions and without the necessary training, thereby putting themselves and their families at risk of contracting the virus.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said: “As for the over 300 doctors (infected by Covid-19) that’s a fable. It is not true. There are not so many people in the health sector who are infected. Latest figures we have is that there are about 113 and these 113 are not all public health workers.

“A good number of them are from private hospitals and if you hear us speaking here frequently against trying to treat coronavirus in private clinics we are actually referring to people who do so without having the necessary precautions, without having the necessary training. Because they risk infecting themselves and they go home and give this infection to their family. That is not the right thing.

“The healthcare workers who have no training, have no business actually handling coronavirus. As for those who do not have the necessary equipment, we have said that we have provided equipment personal protective equipment (PPE) for those who are out there.

“There are one or two places where we have heard that there is tightness in supplies and we have tried to send them over there. But let me remind you again that there is a global shortage of PPEs.

“There is a global shortage. Many countries are struggling and hustling to PPEs, even for the gowns, for face masks and I reminded you of an argument between two world powers over 200 face masks if some of you read about it that were supposed to be delivered to one but ceased by the other.

“It tells you that these things are really scary and we are doing everything we can to make sure our frontline workers have requirements and that we also have a stockpile that we can send quickly.

Comments

PZ: soap vital to COVID-19 fight

Manufacturer of personal healthcare products and consumer goods, PZ Cussons, has said affordability of detergents/soap to wash hands is also a critical element in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The Chairman, PZ Cussons Foundation, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, who spoke during the donation of soap to over 40,000 people towards controlling the spread of the pandemic in the country in six cities across the country, said it was on this realisation that the Foundation in collaboration with Foundation for Refugee Economic Empowerment (FREE), took the step to promote healthy living. FREE is a UK and Nigerian charity that aims to provide high quality, timely, accountable, and inclusive humanitarian assistance to displaced persons towards enabling them to return to normal and sustainable productive lives. Lambo said: “We have since learned that one of the simple ways to stay protected against the coronavirus is by consistent handwashing with soap. Sadly, however, not everyone can afford to...

‘Lockdown affecting Ramadan sales’

Some food vendors in Lagos metropolis yesterday lamented the shortfalls in their sales during the Ramadan. According to them, many people who patronised the food vendors did not show up to buy food for Iftar (breaking of fast) and Sahur (early hour meal). The Nation also observed that not many food sellers engage in the brisk business this year. Usually, between 3am and 6:30am, the streets of Lagos are busy with food vendors preparing dishes. Many men who don’t have wives at home patronise the food vendors. The food vendors are also the toast of some couples, who find it difficult to wake up in the early hours to cook. Mrs Folasade Ayoola, who sells food on Lagos Island, said she had been incurring debts due to wastage of the meals. “We bought foodstuff and pepper at a higher price in the market, hoping to make good sales from those who are fasting, but the reverse is the case. People are not forthcoming like the previous Ramadan,” she said. According to her, some of t...

‘Chloroquine aided recovery of six patients in Bauchi’

CHLOROQUINE, an anti-malaria drug, has aided the recovery of six Coronavirus patients in Bauchi State, including Governor Bala Mohammed, Health Commissioner Dr. Aliyu Maigoro has said. Maigoro, who backed the governor’s stand on chloroquine treatment, addressed reporters yesterday in a telephone interview. He said five other patients who were discharged about two weeks ago after the governor’s recovery were also given a dose of the anti-malaria drug. The Nation reports that six patients had recovered and discharged since the outbreak of the pandemic. Maigoro said: “As the governor rightly stated at the briefing, the same chloroquine treatment was also applied as treatment for the other five patients who were discharged after the governor’s recovery…”

Westernars

Search This Blog