By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The National President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Francis Faduyile has frowned at lack of capacity to carry out adequate nationwide testing for novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).
He thinks that the relevant Federal Government ministries and agencies like the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) under the supervision of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 Pandemic are not undertaking adequate testing for Covid-19 nationwide.
Dr. Faduyile who spoke this morning on ‘Kakaaki’, a current affairs programme on African Independent Television (AIT) argued that lack of adequate testing has ensured that most of the persons who may have the Covid-19 symptoms are still spreading the virus.
NMA President, Dr. Faduyile
Said he, “we’re in for a long journey without adequate testing. I want PTF, NCDC, FMoH to use the next one week to do the needful”.
The NMA boss argued that the 2, 500 testing per day which the PTF and NCDC said they are doing at the moment are grossly inadequate for a large country like Nigeria.
On the Federal Government’s decision to give health workers in the frontline war against Covid-19 pandemic but only those in the Federal Government payroll insurance cover, he said it is a welcome development but called for the inclusion of health workers in the state and local governments employment.
Dr. Faduyile also wants a short-term courses for all health workers while calling for more emphasis on the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the protection of health workers in the country.
On President Muhammadu Buhari’s order for a nationwide use of the Face Masks, the NMA President said he wants government to give the masses adequate education about Face Masks.
“It’s not a guarantee that anyone who wear the Face Mask is safe. I also advocates for Physical Distancing and for people to observe adequate personal hygiene too”, he said.
In another development, Dr. Faduyile revealed that NMA leadership will meet the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) tomorrow Wednesday April 29, pointing out that the he has been in touch with the Chairman of the Forum and Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on several issues including how state Governors can emulate the Federal Government’s gesture of an insurance cover for state health workers.
