Ondo state may be heading for some commotion and crisis in the health sector of the state, as five medical doctors and ten nurses have contracted the deadly coronavirus.
It was also gathered that some other health workers are also down with COVID-19 pandemic.
The health workers are among the 23 new cases of coronavirus pandemic confirmed today in Ondo State. Some nurses and doctors have also threatened to withdraw services if the situation continues to worsen.
A source said the situation was assuming a worrisome level due to inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the state Infectious Disease Hospital, Akure (IDH) and other major health facilities in the state
It was further learnt that most of the health workers are now afraid of attending to patients, especially those down with COVID-19.
The source who is a Senior Nursing officer, said if the state government does not act fast to tackle the ugly situation, there would be an emergency in the state health sector, as doctors and nurses would not be ready to risk their lives in treating patients without enough availability of PPE.
The source said: "emergency alert, Health workers on attacks from Covid-19 pandemic in ondo state, 5Doctors in IDH, 10 nurses on self isolation in Neuropsychiatry hospital in Akure, Mother and Child hospital, Akure in commotion.
"The situation is becoming alarming now as one of the hardworking female medical officers down with COVID-19 now, efforts are on to get the Affected nurses and other health workers (who are now COVID-19 positive) as primary and probable contacts.
The Source also alleged management of the ministry of health of intimidating the affected officials.
"The bitter truth is that the management wants it to be treated without public outlook, the case of a nurse in Neuropsychiatry hospital and PS (permanent Secretary of the ministry) said the nurse should be given a query for pointing out to them the symptoms of COVID-19, at the end, the case came out with COVID-19, now begging the nurse. Thanks," the source said
Confirming the new cases to newsmen in Akure, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro said a closed meeting with stakeholders including market women leaders had been held on how to curb the spread of the virus in the state.
Worried by this alarming rate, the Commissioner urged the stakeholders to carry out the enforcement of COVID-19 compliance protocols in their various areas of influence particularly market women leaders in the state in full force.
Dr Adegbenro said the total number recorded in the state is now put at 128, while 45 on admission and 15 deaths on record, as at 19th of June 2020.
Sunshinetruth
