Doctors embark on strike action as Gov is accused of hiding COVID-19 patients

The Cross Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has commenced industrial action in the State.

This development was disclosed in a letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, from the State chairman of the association, Agam Ayuk, on Sunday.

Ayuk wondered why Cross Rivers State was not included in daily COVID-19 statistics ussually released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),

Cross River is the only state in Nigeria where no single case of COVID-19 has been officially confirmed.

The association claimed five positive cases had their tests done at an NCDC-approved laboratory, but their results were not been published in the agency’s situation report.

“The Association demands an explanation from NCDC, why the five (5) COVID-19 confirmed cases from UCTH carried out at the NCDC accredited Molecular Laboratory at Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State have not reflected in the daily situation report of NCDC long after results had been transmitted to UCTH since July 1, 2020. Congress demands update of the NCDC situation report as a matter of urgent public health interest,” part of the letter read.

It added that: “The NCDC is put on notice that the Cross River State Government has abdicated her responsibility of contact tracing, treatment and care for the five (5) confirmed cases which may not be unconnected with the delay in publication of the results by NCDC.”