The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River state branch, has ordered all its members in public and private hospitals to observe “total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services” over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
It berated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for not reflecting the 5 COVID-19 confirmed cases from University of Calabar Teaching Hospiatal (UCTH) in its daily updates.
The association also passed a vote of no confidence on the Health Commissioner, Dr Beta Edu, and referred her to a disciplinary committee.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Health, dated July 5, 2020 with reference number NMA CRS/SG/2020/07/254 titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Medical Services,’ the association said the decision was taken during emergency general meeting of Sunday, July 5, 2020 to deliberate on the current issues of COVID-19 testing, surveillance, contact tracing, isolation, treatment and care in the State.
The letter, which was signed by the state Chairman, Dr. Agam Ayuk, and Secretary, Dr. Ezoke Epoke, and sighted by Blueprint reporter, read in part: “The Association deeply appreciates the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in declaring University of Calabar Teaching Hospital an Independent Test Centre and the eventual activation of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Molecular Laboratory and Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital Calabar for COVID-19 PCR Testing. We sincerely thank them for this.
“The Association demands 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.
“Congress demands explanations from NCDC, why, epidemiology code numbers have to be generated by Cross River State Ministry of Health before results of samples sent by UCTH to an NCDC approved Molecular Laboratory can be published by NCDC, despite having approved UCTH as an independent Test Centre.
“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. Congress demands the immediate activation of Adiabo Isolation Centre and commencement of surveillance and contact tracing in the State.
“The members of the Association and residents of Cross River State have been put in a precarious public health and safety situation due to the confusion and uncertainty created by the delayed updating of the results by NCDC.
“Congress demands explanation from NCDC, why, despite several complaints of compromised testing in the State, investigations have not commenced on the unethical activities carried out by Cross River State COVID-19 Task Force.”
NMA referred the Health Commissioner, Edu, to the “NMA National Disciplinary Committee and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for the unethical handling of COVID-19 testing in the State, thus putting lives at risk and bringing the Association to disrepute.”
It said the decision would stand “until NCDC and the State Ministry of Health give urgent and prompt attention to the issues raised.”
