The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, and Medical Guild have raised the alarm over an alleged “undue” harassment of health workers by men of the Nigerian Police Force.
The NMA in a release signed by its Chairman, Dr Saliu Oseni, said the statement made by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, on Tuesday was “unfortunate”.
The Lagos NMA Chairman added that the statement by the CP was exposing its members and other healthcare workers to unwarranted harassment by the police.
“The attention of the Association has been drawn to the comments made by the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State pertaining to the movements of health workers in the state against the background of restriction of movement informed by the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 disease in the country.
“The comments were aired on TVC News on March 31, 2020. The CP said, amongst other things, that health workers, in addition to carrying valid means of identification, must show evidence of being on duty whenever they move around the state.
“Is the CP suggesting that health workers engage in ‘illegal duty’ or wander about aimlessly? Perhaps, the CP underestimates the enormity of the work at hand. For the avoidance of doubt, all hands are needed on deck at this critical time. Several countries have already called thousands of health workers out of retirement.”
In a related development, the Medical Guild leadership said its members are being harassed by the Police on their way to attend to sick patients in the hospitals
The Chairman of the Guild, Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo, said, “The Medical Guild wish to call on Lagos State Government to prevail on the security operatives to allow all health care workers through the roads to provide services in our hospitals.
“We strongly urge the Commissioner of Police to retract his directive which will lead to loss of lives of members of the public unnecessarily.”
Some of the uniformed personnel don’t understand the meaning of essential services, health care professionals are human being like other Nigerian who love to relax at home,observe universal precautions in preventing further spreading of COVID 19.Most health care professionals are deprived of enjoying COVID 19 holiday due to professional expectations and responsibilities, they have no option to respond to call at any time, either they are on duty or not,there are times people who are on duty require more hands which compelled members of health care profession to respond immediately just like security personnel are called to respond to terrorist or robbery attack. Yesterday a health care giver was sacked because she was unable to come to work because of COVID 19 lock down and the hospital she work for can not provide a vehicle to pick her up from her house due to many challenges on the road,where will she start from,there is economy crisis in the land,several unemployed people on the street,people who are employed can not boast of three square meal ,no social structures in place to take care of people like this.If the CP had been following international news,I m sure he would have seen the Governor of New York,USA requesting health professionals from other state to come and assist them signing into law with immediate effect,by suspending all form of restrictions preventing health care professionals from other state from working in New York,USA have a good health structure before this COVID19 pandemic compared to Nigeria.Most Nigeria health care professionals have been lost to brain drain and few one available are concentrated at the urban centre stressing and straining the already poor health care system we have.When orders are giving,orders should be reasonably executed considering all this factors, this is not the time to put more barriers on the group of people who are risking there life to save the health of Nigerian in this unsecured country.Suppose a pregnant woman need an emergency care which requires transportation to the hospital during this lockdown will the uniformed personnel stop them because they want to diligently obey instructions.I want the Uniformed personnel to know that so many health challenges that may require emergency care at any time exist before this COVID19.Let us be careful in following lockdown orders so that the mortality and morbidity from other disease will not be greater than COVID 19. And it is good to let Nigerians know that they can present at the hospital at anytime for any ailment .God bless Nigeria