Mayowa Olumuyiwa
Efforts at curtailing the novel coronavirus in Ondo State is facing a major challenge as 15 health workers tested positive for the deadly virus on Friday.
It was gathered that five medical doctors and 10 nurses tested positive, while dozens of other health workers have taken ill in the past few days.
Hence, there are great concerns that health workers in the state could lose their work morale until the state government provides adequate protection for those on the frontline in the fight to contain the pandemic.
The health workers, along with eight others, accounted for the 23 new cases recorded on Friday.
KaftanPost gathered from verified sources that the situation is now causing tension among health workers, who are grumbling about inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
At the State Infectious Diseases Hospital, Akure, our correspondent learnt that PPEs are running out faster than they are being replenished, leading to concerns that more health workers could get infected.
One of the respondent who pleaded anonymity while speaking to KaftanPost said,
“If the state government does not act fast to tackle the ugly situation, there would unavoidably be an emergency in the state Health sector, as no doctor or nurse would be ready to risk his or her life in treating patients without enough availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).”
“The situation is becoming alarming now as one of the hardworking female medical officers (is) down with COVID-19 now, efforts are on to get the affected nurses and other health workers (who are now COVID-19 positive) as primary and probable contacts.”
The Source also alleged the management of the ministry of health of intimidating the affected officials.
The state health commissioner, Dr. Adegbenro, said the total number recorded in the state is now put at 128, while 45 on admission and 15 deaths on record, as at 19th of June 2020.
