About midday today, the @PoliceNG in Akwa Ibom prevented the NMA State Officers Committee led by the State Chairman, Dr. Nsikak Nyoyoko, from proceeding to the UUTH to distribute PPEs to its members based on "orders from above". This is unacceptable. @PoliceNG_CRU #COVID19Nigeria
Health workers in Akwa Ibom are facing hostility from the government and the Police over the response to COVID-19 pandemic. The NMA earlier demanded the sack of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ukpong; who publicly disclaimed the first six positive cases announced by @NCDCgov.
A senior doctor in Akwa Ibom, Dr. Dominic, died last week at the Ibom Specialist Hospital due to what is widely believed to be COVID-19 complications. The @NCDCgov and the state government are yet to announce the result of the autopsy (or postmortem) carried out on the deceased.
Today, a team was sent to fumigate the private hospital of the deceased. This raises more questions on the transparency of the @NCDCgov & the state govt. I've been reliable informed that heath workers that attended to the deceased are now in jeopardy - I can't say more than that.
While some States are struggling to curtail the spread of COVID-19, the Akwa Ibom State Government is preoccupied with politics and covering the truth. It is so sad that medical workers and Akwa Ibom residents have been endangered by the irresponsibility of the state governor.
I call on the leadership of the @PoliceNG, the @NCDCgov, @Fmohnigeria and the Minister of Health to urgently look into the calamity that is unfolding in Akwa Ibom before it is too late. Going by reports that I am getting from field workers, possible COVID-19 are being suppressed.
The taskforce constituted by the State Government is not working in sync with the NCDC. I understand that the state government is frustrating efforts to test more people. Indeed, the NMA has expressed dissatisfaction with the low number of tests carried out in Akwa Ibom State.
The NMA has directed its members harassed by the police on the road to return home.
Health workers are vulnerable due to lack of PPEs.
Patients are being turned back due to COVID19 scare. After lying about its preparedness, the State is now trying to build an isolation centre.
Health workers are vulnerable due to lack of PPEs.
Patients are being turned back due to COVID19 scare. After lying about its preparedness, the State is now trying to build an isolation centre.
If urgent decisive actions are not taken to redress the issues that I have raised, chances are that many people will die (in the event of an outbreak). The @NCDCgov should disclose the outcome of their investigation into the cause of the death of Dr. Dominic. Time is running out.
