The Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that there are other issues apart from the conflicting directive from the Police in Lagos, which led to the alleged harassment of doctors in the state.
Yesterday, the Lagos NMA in a statement by its chairman and secretary, Dr. Saliu Oseni and Dr. Ramon Moronkola respectively, asked its members to stay at home indefinitely as from 6pm on Wednesday, March 20, over alleged harassment of doctors by security officials enforcing the Federal Government imposed a curfew.
The NMA alleged that the harassment was caused by conflicting directives issued by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, which said that essential workers, including health workers were not exempted from the 8pm to 6am curfew ordered by the government. The medical association demanded a written statement from the government and the police, explaining the status of essential services personnel during curfew enforcement.
The Nigeria Police Force in a statement said it was aware of the indispensable frontline role of the nation’s workforce that falls within the category of essential service providers.
“To this effect, all essential workers including medical personnel, ambulance service providers, journalists, firefighters, etc remain exempted from the movement restriction orders as well as the national curfew,” DCP Frank Mba, Police PRO, stated.
The Lagos chapter of the NMA, responding to the statement by the Police, told the West African Pilot News that the association had not to review its sit-at-home directive to its members. He said there were other issues, including the safety of its members, which the association was in talks with the government about.
“The issue is not just about whether essential workers can move around or not. We are more concerned about the safety,” said Dr. Moronkola, Secretary of the NMA in Lagos. “We knew the Presidential Task Force was clear on their directive that essential workers were exempted. One wonders why the police force took the actions they took. So beyond the statement, we need assurance. We need to know they are committed.”
As of May 19, Lagos recorded 2,771 cases of Covid-19, about 2,083 active cases, 632 persons discharged and 38 persons had died.
“We are monitoring the situation and we are not unaware of the disease,” Dr. Moronkola said.
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