The Nigeria Medical Association, Cross, Cross River State chapter, has commenced the total and indefinite withdrawal of her services in the entire state, a statement issued by the association and signed by the state chairman, Agam Ayuk and state secretary, Ezeoke Epoke, has informed.
The points raised in the statement dated 5th July, 2020, with reference number; NMA.CRS/SG/2020/07/254, specifically questions “…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 been reflected in the daily situation report of NCDC, long after results had been transmitted to UCTH since July 1, 2020.”
Additionally, NMA wants “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.”
But the association seemed to have struck a raw nerve as it “… passed a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE on the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu, and further referred her 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.” This latter demand has triggered talk by visible government aides purporting that the CRS NMA chairman had eyed the health commissioner’s job before now. Information is even flying on social media that the NMA is being sponsored to bring down the Ayade administration, claims that remain unverified.
While the state government appears to have flown a “no Covid-19 case in CRS”, over a period of time, several health and allied personnel in the state have long faulted government’s position, with the NMA, most vocal. They remain immediate concerns that infections may soar in the next couple of days with residents advised to embrace preventive protocols in place.
