The Minister of Health, Ehanire Osagie has warned health workers against treating suspected cases of Coronavirus privately and has advised such patients to referred to designated treatment centres. Ehanire gave the warning at the daily press briefing of Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. He said suspected Coronavirus cases should be directed to designated centres which are well-equipped and trained to manage such cases.
According to the Minister, Healthcare workers are highly exposed to COVID-19 virus as they are first responders to patients. ”All medical practitioners, health care workers and also the public are reminded that COVID-19 is such a highly infectious disease and they should abstain from trying to privately treat or manage these cases in their homes.
“Only a designated treatment centre can provide safe isolation and management of COVID-19 patients. All designated isolation and treatment centres have adequate supplies to manage cases and there is no shortage of Personal Protective Equipment and no fear of shortage in the short term for health workers."
The minister urges private practitioners to play their role by educating the public and protecting the frontline workers. He, however, said all private facilities must be accredited by the federal government before commencing treatments of COVID-19 patients.
“Private practitioners have a big role in educating the public and protecting patients and frontline workers and by having a high index of suspicious to identify, advise and refer suspected cases to designated management facilities for testing. Private facilities must apply to the federal ministry of health for accreditation before engaging in the treatment of patients,” he said.
He said private practitioners also share in the responsibility to maintain essential and emerging service at all times and ensure the safe transfer of suspected cases of COVID-19 by dialling the toll- free emergency number.
