AKWA IBOM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS PROMISE TO COOPERATE IN CORONA FIGHT, REGRET FEUDING GOVT
Medical professionals in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of conglomeration of health workers against COVID-19 have apologised over the “seeming misunderstanding that ensued a few days ago in the state.”
They have also reiterated their readiness to avail the state of their expertise, promising to emulate the virtues of fatherhood, leadership, brotherhood, love and humility, exhibited by Governor Udom Emmanuel, who they further described as their ‘beacon light of peace’.
In a speech presented at a meeting with the Governor on their behalf by the Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Nsikak Nyoyoko, the health workers admitted that their action was avoidable, “we say it is regrettable and we apologize.”
They described Governor Emmanuel as a visionary whose energy and resources have led to massive renovation and equipping of hospitals in the state.
“Your Excellency, you are a visionary man. Sir while some of your colleagues paid lip service to healthcare, you embarked on massive renovation and equipping of our hospitals.”
The medical workers said Governor Emmanuel has justified his recognition as the country’s NMA Healthcare Ambassador with his vision of upgrading facilities in the healthcare system of Akwa Ibom to world class standards, but insisted that more still remained to be done.
The Health professionals commended the state Government’s measures to prevent COVID 19, maintaining that “your screening measures, your lockdown policy among other far reaching measures put together by the AKSG are part of the response preparedness.”
“Even more gladdening to our hearts, Your Excellency, is the fact that Akwa Ibom has yet to record a positive case. Our constant prayers is that it will not come nigh us.”
They assured of “the readiness of the Army of Health Workers led by General Udom Emmanuel with our Brigade Commander to the war against COVID-19.”
Concerning the COVID-19 response, we stand by our initial Communique and we are glad that the SSG at the truce meeting accepted and adopted the communique as a working template for the preparation towards COVID-19.
The medical workers wanted the government to ban all large gatherings particularly ceremonies of any kind expressing fears over the high resources required for monitoring compliance with the emergency safety protocols.
The medical professionals also requested that all business premises be directed to immediately set up hand hygiene measures at their entrances and exits, failure of which should attract immediate closure by the state environmental agency.
Governor Emmanuel in his response enjoined the health work workers to put in their best in working with the state government to prevent the advent of the disease in the state.
He said the battle against the Corona virus required every hand to be on deck and offered no room for needless confrontations, and advised all energy be channelled to the fight against the disease.
Governor Emmanuel maintained that he is poised to completely turn around all secondary health facilities in the state, maintaining that work was currently at advance stage at the Ikot Ekpene and Eket General Hospitals respectively as was the earlier done in Ituk Mbang, Iquita Oron, Ikot Okoro, Etinan and Ikono.
The conglomeration of health workers against COVID-19 is an amalgamation of the 4 major health care Associations in Akwa Ibom State, namely the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists AMLSN) all coming together particularly at this point to assist the Government of Akwa lbom state in ensuring a timely, robust and effective response against COVID19.
The secretary to the state government, Health of Civil Service, Commissioner for Health, Commissioner for Information, Attorney General and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor were in attendance at the meeting.
