COVID-19 2nd Wave: Lagos Doctors Lament Attitude Of Lagosians

*Say LASG must do all necessary to protect citizens from
virus

Medical doctors under the auspices of the Medical Guild have
decried what it described as ”complacency” among Lagosians on the
effects of COVID-19 even though the country was neck-deep in the
second wave of the pandemic.

The doctors under the employ of the Lagos State government who
also called for restraint on the part of the public urged the
authorities of the State government to swing into action and put in
place all that is necessary to safeguard the citizens.

In its message tagged: ”New Year Message: A time for Restraint
and A Time for Action” the Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr Sodipo
Oluwajimi said the use of face masks, social distancing, avoiding
large crowds, isolating when sick and presenting to the hospital
when symptoms like difficulty in breathing occur must remain in
place through our the festive season.

“The first wave of COVID-19 brought with it unforeseen problems
characterized by the fear of the unknown and led to a large number
of infections, death, economic and social deprivation among all
facets of the population including health care workers.

“We were able to emerge from the first wave using a combination
of human kindness, innovation, hope given by spiritual fortitude
and the application of science.

“The use of personal protective equipment, social distancing,
hand washing, improved testing and contact tracing for SARS COV-2
with resilient work by our health care workers and cooperation of
the public played a great role in achieving success., ” he said

Oluwajimi further reminded Lagosians that the virus in the
second wave seems more vicious with several deaths among the
elderly and vulnerable including health care workers.

He said the surge in new cases maybe most likely linked to the
increasing influx of Nigerians and foreigners from abroad, poor use
of social distancing and masks and complacency among the public on
the effects of the virus.

“Now more than ever; is the need for restraint on the part of
the populace, we must use the lessons learnt during the first wave
to defeat this second wave. ”

He called for continuous health promotion, strengthening of
border controls, testing and isolation of travellers from foreign
countries, expanding testing of contacts and ill persons with
prompt result notification, and expanding treatment especially for
the vulnerable and ill.

Oluwajimi said the Government must also ensure social benefits
for the most vulnerable and affected, while health care workers who
bear the brunt of infections should also be prioritised for
provision of personal protective equipment, health, and life
insurance, and appropriate hazard allowances.

He pledged as members of the Medical Guild, Lagos to provide
necessary care for patients and the populace while partnering with
Government to have home-made solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic as
it affects Nigerians and Lagos in particular.

He added that by working together, the state and Nigeria at
large would emerge victorious from the second wave as they did in
the first wave.

*Say LASG must do all necessary to protect citizens from
virus

Medical doctors under the auspices of the Medical Guild have
decried what it described as ”complacency” among Lagosians on the
effects of COVID-19 even though the country was neck-deep in the
second wave of the pandemic.

The doctors under the employ of the Lagos State government who
also called for restraint on the part of the public urged the
authorities of the State government to swing into action and put in
place all that is necessary to safeguard the citizens.

In its message tagged: ”New Year Message: A time for Restraint
and A Time for Action” the Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr Sodipo
Oluwajimi said the use of face masks, social distancing, avoiding
large crowds, isolating when sick and presenting to the hospital
when symptoms like difficulty in breathing occur must remain in
place through our the festive season.

“The first wave of COVID-19 brought with it unforeseen problems
characterized by the fear of the unknown and led to a large number
of infections, death, economic and social deprivation among all
facets of the population including health care workers.

“We were able to emerge from the first wave using a combination
of human kindness, innovation, hope given by spiritual fortitude
and the application of science.

“The use of personal protective equipment, social distancing,
hand washing, improved testing and contact tracing for SARS COV-2
with resilient work by our health care workers and cooperation of
the public played a great role in achieving success., ” he said

Oluwajimi further reminded Lagosians that the virus in the
second wave seems more vicious with several deaths among the
elderly and vulnerable including health care workers.

He said the surge in new cases maybe most likely linked to the
increasing influx of Nigerians and foreigners from abroad, poor use
of social distancing and masks and complacency among the public on
the effects of the virus.

“Now more than ever; is the need for restraint on the part of
the populace, we must use the lessons learnt during the first wave
to defeat this second wave. ”

He called for continuous health promotion, strengthening of
border controls, testing and isolation of travellers from foreign
countries, expanding testing of contacts and ill persons with
prompt result notification, and expanding treatment especially for
the vulnerable and ill.

Oluwajimi said the Government must also ensure social benefits
for the most vulnerable and affected, while health care workers who
bear the brunt of infections should also be prioritised for
provision of personal protective equipment, health, and life
insurance, and appropriate hazard allowances.

He pledged as members of the Medical Guild, Lagos to provide
necessary care for patients and the populace while partnering with
Government to have home-made solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic as
it affects Nigerians and Lagos in particular.

He added that by working together, the state and Nigeria at
large would emerge victorious from the second wave as they did in
the first wave.