Diphtheria: NMA Urges KDSG To Provide PPEs
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Kaduna State Government to provide more Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to health workers, following the outbreak of Diphtheria in the state.
The Chairman of the association in the state, Dr Sheyin Madaki, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna.
According to him, this is necessary to protect health workers involved in the treatment of the disease.
NAN recalls that the state government had announced the outbreak of the disease in July 21, saying it recorded 17 cases of death from six local government areas.
Madaki, therefore, said it is important for government to provide PPEs because the health workers are at risk, adding that the measure will help to reduce the spread of infection.
He explained that “diphtheria is a communicable disease so it can be transmitted from person to person.
“Health workers need PPEs to provide protection against hazards, virolent pathogens by preventing exposure to bodily fluids and respiratory droplets.
“PPE is worn to minimise and mitigate the risk associated with a variety of working conditions; without proper PPE, workers are exposed to significant risk of injury or illnesses, which may not present themselves immediately.”
The NMA chairman also urged the state government to make provisions for vaccination of the health workers and urged the public to report any unidentified symptoms of diphhteria for prompt action
He stressed the need for the state government to also take a look at the renumeration of health workers.