- Dr. Joseph Ugboaja, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, has called for stern measures to enforce compliance with the COVID-19 protocols to curb the spread.
Dr. Joseph Ugboaja, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, has called for stern measures to enforce compliance with the COVID-19 protocols to curb the spread.
Ugboaja, who is a Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecologist, made the call at a news conference in Nnewi on Tuesday, noting that the hospital would soon be overwhelmed with cases of COVID-19 if something urgent was not done to halt the spread of the virus.
He said the use of face mask and observance of physical distancing should be taken seriously as evidence showed that COVID-19 was still very much around in the country “and people are getting infected in their numbers.”
The CMAC chairman, who is also the Chairman of NAUTH COVID-19 Task Force, said there was a need for citizen cooperation in tackling community spread of the virus.
He added that “the time has come for everyone to take responsibility toward curtailing the spread of this virus. This is the only way we can arrest the situation and flatten the curve.
“It is unfortunate and highly worrisome that even in the face of the escalating rate of infection; most people still go about their businesses as if nothing is happening.
“Every day, you see people moving up and down in groups without face masks and with minimal regard to physical distancing, the markets and workplaces are filled with people clustered together without face masks.
“The bars and other public places are all bubbling with activities with people paying little or no attention to COVID-19 preventive strategies, this could be dangerous.”
Ugboaja, who is also the Director of Clinical Services, Research and Training of the hospital, said the carefree attitude and assumption of genetical immunity among the people were largely responsible for the increasing number of cases recorded at the teaching hospital.
He expressed the fear that the hospital would soon be overwhelmed with cases of COVID-19 if something urgent was not done toward halting and reversing the trend while calling on stakeholders to join hands with the hospital and the government in the fight.
The CMAC chairman lauded the management of NAUTH and members of the hospital response team over what he described as “excellent performance of the hospital in response and management of the pandemic.
“Stakeholders, including religious, community and political leaders are encouraged to join hands with NAUTH and government in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 by sensitising members of their constituencies and monitoring compliance.
“COVID-19 Task Force teams should be strengthened and new ones established at the communities, villages, churches, markets and workplaces.”
On the activities of the Task Force, the CMAC boss said that members, especially the Rapid Response Team and other staff members of the Isolation Unit and Accident & Emergency had been outstanding and deserved commendation.
“NAUTH Nnewi, which is central in identifying, isolating and managing cases of COVID-19 needs to be supported with Personal Protective Equipment kits, including face masks, the PPE gowns, booths, face shields and other materials.
“I want to thank specially, the CMD of NAUTH, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe and the board of management, ably led Chief Ezekiel Afukonyo for providing leadership and the needed logistic support at this period in time.
“I want to also thank members of the Task Force on COVID-19, especially the Rapid Response Team and staff of the Isolation and Accident and Emergency units for their outstanding performance so far.
“They deserve a lot of accolades, not leaving out the media who have been partnering with us in this fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
(NAN)
