Nigerian Medical Association has appealed to the Federal Government to provide comprehensive life insurance for doctors and other health personnel in the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
NMA also demanded that accuracy of the testing for the Coronavirus should be improved upon.
It also demanded adequate protection for its members risking their lives in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
NMA also expressed displeasure that doctors and other health workers are being paid meagre hazard allowance, adding that there are not enough Personal Protective Equipment available to doctors and other health workers in the frontline.
NMA FCT Chairman, Dr. Enema Amodu, said this in a statement in Abuja.
According to him, “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.
“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.”Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android