By Christie Doyin
The last few weeks must have been real cumbersome for medical personnel and other front liners in the fight against the Corona virus pandemic.
The unlocking and relaxation of lockdown and closures as well as curfews across the Nigeria nations seem to be a red indicator to a dangerous turn in the fight against the pandemic that has turned the whole world upside down and brought even those regarded as super powers to their knees to the extent that till date, since the virus infiltrated the medical sphere of the world, there has only been trial of one vaccine or the other to fight the scourge. It is actually that bad!
After unlocking the lockdown, which many of us believe was as a result of pressures from ‘the big shots’ and top businessmen, and those whose economic powers have been seriously eroded in the corridors or close to the corridors of power, there has been an upsurge in the outbreak of Corona virus code named COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Daily release of figures across the country are frightening and overwhelming so. It is even more sad that in spite of the high rate of cases and deaths, some individuals are smiling to the banks with their pockets bulging. The indictments going around are pointers both at the states and federal levels. The story going round at the beginning that governments at various levels were only trying to use the Corona virus incidence to make money for some few pockets has been given credence by the unexplained and unaccountable large sum of money allegedly spent from the several millions donated and released to fight COVID-19.
Looking closely, apart from the phobia of contracting the virus among a few of us, many others have considered it as non existence and so ignored the cautions and measures put in place to reduce the spread of the virus, especially here in Nigeria.
Someone, in his analysis, said 1 in 3 patients prevented to clinics, seem like they already have COVID-19 like symptoms. While up to half are easily suspects. Almost everyone knows someone who has lost their sense of smell or taste or both or exhibiting symptoms of COVID.
Sadly now, the fact that funds made available for fighting the scourge have ‘miraculously’ found their ways into some individuals’ pockets have brought about radical increase and daily occurrence of victims. Even doctors have fallen victims with each state have records of medical personnel that have contracted the virus.
Go to Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Osun states and indeed, across the country, and you will hear of the high number of medical personnel that have also fallen victims, though many a state are not truthful about the figure.
For instance, over the weekend, Kwara state recorded as high as 85 new cases in a day, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 535, 187 discharged and 14 deaths also recorded. This figure is higher than any recorded in over three months in the state.
According to reports, over 200 of medical doctors are already infected in Lagos and in Kwara, there are well over 30. Some reports stated that “a teaching hospital in the southeast is awash with health workers that are positive. Another one lost its provost of the medical college.
“Another southeastern Teaching hospital tested 51 samples and 19 came back positive. Thatโs about 37%”.
We are indeed in precarious time and turning to religion, I believe only God can help and save us now. Those who we hitherto think would help save the situation are only concerned with their pockets. Most of the states have no testing centres and dockyards as isolation centres.
There was a story of an Alhaji Dikko in Abuja who fell ill as a result of High blood pressure resulting in suspected cardiac arrest but was denied treatment in both government and private hospitals out of fare of Corona virus that went viral. In all those hospitals he was taken to, there were doctors but in all the hospitals, he was refused treatment, and the man died hours later. A death that was preventable, all because some doctors refused to treat him and because the doctors could not stake their lives as a result of selfishness and callousness of those who are getting richer from the available fund meant to fight the pandemic.
The fact is if the huge amount donated by concerned individuals and organisations, as well as that released by government are available, perhaps many of the lost lives would have been saved. The question now is – Where are the billions of naira donated and budgeted for fight against COVID-19 gone to?
Why is no one asking where the whole lot of money has gone, why are doctors not responding to their patients or making efforts to care for them, why are more doctors and other medical personnel contracting Corona virus, is government really concerned about us? These are few of the numerous questions begging for answers from government and all those concerned.
Some of the understanding we had was many of the doctors and other front line health workers do not have the required training or the personal protective equipment, PPE. So where have the money gone?
Knowing all these and with the daily occurrence being announced, I became bewildered that some persons out there still act as if COVID-19 is nonexistent. I can’t just explain how I feel when I hear or see persons that are nonchalant about protecting themselves against the pandemic virus.
Someone said to me, “They’re lying, only deceiving us so that they could get richer and prevent us from reacting”.
To make matters worst, the unlocking of lockdown and opening of states’ borders have led to great increase in the number of cases. Not only that, each day, we receive stories of more positive cases and deaths as a result of Corona virus.
As recently as last week, we have about 35,000 recorded cases. And as of July 18, the number of deaths have become alarming, and these are recorded cases only.
I think it’s about time states governments start enforcing the COVID-19 guidelines of social distancing, proper wearing of facemasks, washing our hands with soap under running taps, and or using alcohol based sanitiser. Government agencies should do proper monitoring to check and enforce compliance, especially in motor parks where transporters are supposed to reduce number of passengers to allow for distancing.
While motorists, especially those transporters have increase their fares but still carrying same number of passengers as before the pandemic.
It is pertinent to emphatically tell our people the importance of not only wearing the facemask, but also wearing it properly, covering nose and the mouth, especially when in a crowded place like markets, bus or motor parks, hospitals and during celebrations. They should forget all the partying, the weddings, naming ceremonies and fidaus or burial parties for now and strictly adhere to the social distancing guideline. They need to know that it is of utmost importance to wash hands with soap under running (tap) water. We should avoid preventable deaths through compliance. Stay home as much as you can if there is no strong reason for you to be out, avoid unnecessary contact.
We need to be responsible to ourselves, others and the nation. The fact that we don’t seem to know where the monies are going should not keep you from protecting yourself.
Keep keeping safe, adhere to laid down guidelines and flatten the curve.
