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NMA decries rising cost of medical consumables

By Murtala Adewale, Kano
29 March 2020   |   3:46 am
Worried by the sudden increase in the price of medical consumables in the country, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for drastic measures against marketers who are taking undue advantage of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic to milk Nigerians.

Worried by the sudden increase in the price of medical consumables in the country, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for drastic measures against marketers who are taking undue advantage of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic to milk Nigerians.

Chairman, Kano State Chapter of NMA, Dr. Sanusi Bala, who disclosed this while addressing journalists at their secretariat in Kano, expressed concern that the development has led to increase in the price of basic personal protective equipment and other consumables with about 300 per cent, immediately the global health burden hit the country.

Bala, who called on concerned authorities to immediately come to public rescue however, insisted that government has primary responsibilities to provide protective equipment to Nigerians, especially the civil servants. He, lamented that the price hike forced NMA to spend additional N3m in view of the prevailing situation in the country.

“In normal circumstances, the items we bought should have cost us N2m, but because the traders and dealers have increased their prices, we have to spend about N5m.

“If your centres do not provide you with the needed face masks and alcohol- based disinfectant, kindly dedicate your two months hazards allowance, no matter how small to get yourself protected.”

He however, urged the well-to-do individuals in the state to support the association with more of such equipment to enable its members serve the patients better.

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