Rabiu Omaku
The Nasarawa State Chairman of Nigeria Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Peter Umaru has disclosed that 33 percent of health workers in the State has contracted coronavirus pandemic.
He gave the disclosure in an exclusive interview at his abode,he explained that a total of 92 health workers were tested positive.
“Out of the 272 persons infected with COVID-19 as of July 20,2020 ,92 health workers”.
“This the breakdown of the 33 percent of 272,We have 69 from public health facilities,36 from Lafia,37 from Keffi,23 from private facilities ,12 from Karu,7 from Nasarawa Eggon”.
We keep on asking question on why the high population of health workers contracting COVID-19 ? Was it because of inappropriate Personal Protective Equipment or inadequate PPE’s ?.
Dr.Umaru applauded the State Governor for approving COVID-19 hazard allowances to health workers,saying apart from Enugu State Governor who approved 25 percent of the allowance to health workers if not Nasarawa State ?.
He said the Governor with the approval had create an enabling environment to avert the mass exodus of doctors as well further strike action in the State.
The NMA Chairman commended Governor Sule for approving the ongoing biometric and data capture of workers in the State with the sole aim of fishing out ghost workers in the payroll of the State.
Peter Umaru said the Nigeria Medical Association served the State Government over N100m during the impasses between the Joint Action Committee of the six Associations.
“The Governor was so happy with my presentation of the total cost of the Federal Government COVID-19 hazard allowance to health workers,Government officials over blunt the money with over N100m”.
The Chairman whose tenure is coming to end within the next two months,thanked members of the Association for their total support.
He also commended the Chief Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital,Lafia Dr Ikrama Hassan for turning around the tertiary health facility in the State.
As at July 23,2020 102 health workers were infected with a total of 77 from public health facilities,25 from private facilities,16 from Karu,42 from Keffi,37 from Lafia and 7 from Nasarawa Eggon.
Those tested positive includes NMA Chairman,Dr.Peter Umaru and President Association of Resident Doctors,Dr Peter Idoko.
