The Federal Medical Center, FMC, Asaba is grappling with the management of covid-19 as six persons have reportedly died of virus complications while eight doctors are currently infected with the pandemic.
There was apprehension from health workers over the infected doctors who it was gathered, have been isolated amid stiffer adherence to COVID-19 protocols in the centre.
Dr Victor Osiatuma, Chief Medical Director of the centre, told journalists that the pandemic has affected the staff strength of the facility, especially the junior workers who assist doctors in their duties.
“We have problems in our hospital here in Asaba as eight doctors from family medicine unit have tested positive.
“Some others at the Neo-Natal unit have been seriously affected and they are all in isolation centre.
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“The major issue now is that our oxygen unit is not functioning, even though the affected doctors are responding to treatments.”
“Our isolation centres are filled up with just two beds and we have shut down the accident and emergency ward of the hospital following the increasing cases of COVID-19.
“Some patients who were admitted into A & E wards tested positive to the virus and they were discharged, and we are told that they are no more.
“We have conducted tests on our doctors who were exposed to be sure they were not infected and while we await the results, they have been isolated,” he disclosed.
The doctor requested more supports from both the federal, state governments and privileged individuals to handle the increasing cases of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
“We need all the support; FMC Asaba is completely in trouble over COVID-19 pandemic. We need all the support we can get to fight the situation.
“We need people to donate to us consumables like hand sanitisers, face masks and medical kits for us to work with,” Dr Osiatuma pleaded.
He, however, warned Nigerians to take responsibility against COVID-19 which, he said, could kill if detected late and poorly managed.
