NARD Laments Rates of COVID-19 Infection, Fatality Among Health Workers

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…Urges Nigerians to take precautions

As the second wave of COVID-19 continues its ravages, the National President of National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, has lamented the rates of infection and fatality among health workers, including members of his association, describing the new wave as frightening.

Okhuaihesuyi told Pharmanews in a recent interview that as of February 9, 2021, about 1500 members of his association had been infected, adding that the association had lost about 17 members to the pandemic, including a 32-year-old doctor, who died on 8 February.

He said: “We are not really happy about the spread of the virus. We have been educating our people on what the second wave of COVID-19 is and ways of preventing getting exposed to the infection. We have been advocating for more personal protective equipment (PPE). We have also been insisting that thorough screening should be carried out on individuals coming to the hospitals and those coming to our headquarters.”

He therefore call on all health workers, especially members of NARD across the country, to take utmost caution by using PPE and avoiding unnecessary contact with infected people

The NARD president further called for the setting up of more isolation centres across the country to so as to accommodate more patients.

“Government should set up more centres at various locations across the country. The number of infected people is increasing; so there is need for more centres because nobody knows when the number will go down.  More PPE should also be made available to health workers. There should also be more sensitization,” he pleaded.

Dr Okhuaihesuyi also expressed concern that some Nigerians are still skeptical about the reality of COVID-19 in the country, despite the increasing infection and fatality.

He said: “I feel for many Nigerians that still believe in the fallacy that COVID-19 is not real. I hope such people can walk to the isolation centre at Yaba, or the National Hospital, Abuja, to see things for themselves. I am sure their doubt will fly away if they can visit the isolation centres.”

To contain the spread of the virus, the NARD president urged Nigerians to avoid crowded places and social gathering as much as possible, and also make use of PPE.

“Nigerians must take precautions,” he said. “As you go out, wear your mask, wash your hands with water and soap in a running water; and in the absence of water and soap, use hand sanitiser.

“Keeping social distance is ultimately very important. If we can all take responsibility, we can contain the spread,”Dr Okhuaihesuyi said.