The National Association Of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, (NANNM),
Plateau State Council wishes to appreciate her members and the effort of
Plateau State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt.
Hon. Simon Bako Lalong in curbing the menace of COVID-19 in the state.
As a professional body, we will not relent in the discharge of our
duties. This hope is hinged on the noticeable sacrifice of Nurses while
keeping to their professional calling by offering themselves at all
times in the ongoing fight against the menace of COVID-19, bearing in
mind that the Year 2020 is dubbed as “The Year of Nurses and Midwife” by
WHO in staunch recorgnition of our key roles, presence and notable
efforts towards the goals and successes achieved for Universal Health
Coverage (UHC).The
priority of NANNM, Plateau State Council at this critical period
remains the same, which is the safety, health and well-being of it’s
members and the general public. While we appreciate the Government for
all it is doing, we however noticed with dismay the following.
1.
The task Force set up by Government did not take cognizance of the role
of Nurses in combating the scourge of COVID -19. Perhaps, that is the
reason the leadership of Nurses in the state is not included
2.
We are aware of the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE),
in our hospitals and Isolation Centers. Consequently, we have directed
our members not to attend to any patient with a suspected case of
COVID-19 without PPE. “No PPE, DON’T RISK YOURSELF”. Government should
in earnest provide all appropriate safety devices to all the designated
facilities including casualty departments where cases first report, for
the overall safety of Nurses, health Professionals and citizens of the
state.
3.
The health sector should be given a special consideration in terms of
recruiting Nurses at this critical moment. Government should direct all
relevant agencies to release the employment letters of the interviews
conducted by the state Government recently, as health facilities around
the State are seriously understaffed with our members manifesting
different signs of occupational related diseases. The embargo placed on
employment should exempt Nurses from the Federal, State, and Local
Government Health Institutions.
4. Government should ensure proper training of workers, especially those working in Isolation Centers.
5.
Accommodation should be provided to all health workers working in
Isolation Centers to enbale them self-isolate themselves till the fight
against COVID-19 is over.
In
view of the foregoing, members are advised to work hand-in-hand with
other health workers in the combat of this disease and adhere to the
following.
a. Control Ward traffic by limiting the number of visitors to the hospitals.b. Implement isolation and Barrier Nursing technique appropriately.
c. Report any suspected case of COVID-19.
d. Educate people and the community on methods to prevent COVID-19.
e. Respond positively to this National Emergency by having high index of suspicion for all patients with respiratory symptoms.
We
call on the media and Civil Society Organizations to help in the spread
of preventive messages at all levels as all hands need to be on Deck if
we most succeed.
We
also call on Government at all levels to use this opportunity to
develop the health sector as it is clear, that the sector needs serious
intervention.On
its part, NANNM shall continue to work with Government and the good
people of Plateau State to ensure the health of our citizens is
guaranteed.I
urge all Nurses in the state to take extreme care and sacrifice more
during this period by adhering to all precautionary measures recommended
by NCDC and WHO to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and stay safe.
NB. NO PPE, DON’T RISK YOURSELF.