NMA, Iwu blame citizens’ nonchalant attitude for second wave of COVID-19

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Chapter has decried the care free/nonchalant attitude of the Nigerian public towards the COVID-19 protocols, arguing it is largely responsible for the second wave of the deadly virus.
   
In its New Year message, its Chairman, Dr. Adetunji Adenekan said: “In celebrating as a people, we must not forget that utilising the lesson of our failure in preventing the second wave of COVID-19 is key in ensuring its containment and the strengthening of our health system, especially against emerging and reemerging biologic agent(s) and other hazards.”
       
Adenekan urged all frontline personnel to continue to respond to the challenges brought upon them by the fragility of the country’s health care system, including COVID-19.

While expressing his condolences to the families of frontline health workers who lost their lives to the deadly virus, the NMA Chairman, further stressed that the need for high index of suspicion among health care professionals, especially medical and dental practitioners cannot be over-emphasised.

Meanwhile, Imo State Committee Chairman on containment of COVID-19 spread, Prof. Maurice Iwu, said 11 patients were being quarantined at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri Isolation facility receiving medical attention.

He advised Imo residents to mandatorily use face masks at public places; wash their hands regularly with running water; apply sanitisers; maintain social distancing and avoid crowds and social gathering, as enunciated by the NCDC and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The professor of Pharmacognosy expressed optimism that, if the health safety protocols were observed, the pandemic would be contained, regretting that many have died of the contagious virus.