Doctors at various universities in Nigeria have expressed concern over level of preparedness for resumption of academic activities, considering the increasing cases of coronavirus in the second wave of the virus in the country.
The Federal Government had directed all Universities in the country to reopen for normal academic activities as from today, January 18 under the strict guidelines of the COVID-19 protocols
But the medical personnel under the aegis of National Association of Doctors in University Health Services (NADUHS) are calling on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency contact all relevant stakeholders for inputs, consultation and adoption of effective strategies that will ensure public safety before Universities across the country resume.
They raised the concern in a statement issued by Concerned members of the association, titled "January 18th, 2021 resumption of Nigerian Universities: An assessment of Federal Government's level of preparedness amid Covid 19 pandemic second wave", made available to Edu-Biznews in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The association in the statement jointly signed by its leaders including
Dr. Abiodun Amusan (South West),Dr. Musa Sheheu (South South), Dr. Hassan S. Musa (North East), Dr. Ishaq Abubakar (North West), Dr. Dr. Enweani Onyeka (South East), and Dr. Louis Nwakolo (North Central), is worried that the Federal Government is yet to train health workers in University Health Services (UHS) preparatory to the resumption of Universities and other tertiary institutions".
NADUHS, an affiliate of the Nigeria Medical Association, stressed the need for the Federal Government to ensure that medical doctors and other health care personnel in University Health Centres across the country are trained adequately before universities resume so as to reduce the spread of covid-19 among students, and staff on University campuses.
"NADUHS as critical stakeholders shall continue to offer its services during this pandemic. NADUHS recommends that No University should be allowed to resume without adequate preparation", it stated .
For instance, the association claimed that health personnel lacked adequate Personal Protective Equipment to. carry out their services in respective medical facilities at various universities
"Members of NADUHS while offering their services acknowledge inadequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment’s, (PPEs), and other essential medical consumables required in the discharge of their duties during the pandemic". the lamented
The statement further reads in parts
"As at the time of going to press, federal government is yet to pay NADUHS members and other Health Care workers in University Health Services their covid-19 hazard and inducement allowance despite Mr. President’s approval since March 2020".
"NADUHS noted the difficulty its members are going through daily while providing medical services to members of University staff, their families, and NHIS enrollees during this pandemic without motivation, training, and adequate medical equipment’s and consumables".
"NADUHS also observed with dismay the irregularities of our salary structure as some Universities still pay their medical personnel using CONTISS salary structure as against the approved CONMESS and CONHESS".
"For the records, Nigerians should be informed that already positive cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in some University Health facilities with morbidities recorded. The prevention of recording more cases should be a collective responsibility of the Health Care personnel, our respective University managements, and the federal government of Nigeria".
The association also urged the government to immediately pay all its members of their covid-19 hazard and inducement allowance.
"NADUHS is yet to understand and comprehend why the federal government chose to selectively pay all health care personnel under the Federal Ministry of Health and refuse to do the same to Doctors and other Healthcare Professionals under Nigerian Universities and institutions of higher learning".
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