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Doctors urge govt to equip hospitals against Ebola


Doctors under the aegis of Medical Guild, Lagos State, yesterday urged the Federal and state governments to equip all hospitals to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
They said it is necessary because patients reserve the right to choose the hospitals where they want to access treatment, as such hospitals should be equipped with anti-Ebola equipment.
Its chairman, Dr Biyi Kufo, said global practices demand that certain protocols must be put in place in all facilities to protect workers from contracting the disease.
“We are not sure there is adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on ground. It is the foot soldiers on the field who feel the presence of battle. We work in these facilities and we are aware of the situation on the ground,” he said.
Besides, proper approach in combating the disease should not exclude the doctors.
He appealed to the government to ensure all measures are put in place to protect doctors and other health workers, saying this will reduce obvious anxiety in the sector.

Then doctors can treat patients without fear, he added.
The outbreak, he said, will test the level of preparedness of any country to respond to an emergency, especial its public health.
He said doctors and other health workers, outside their immediate family members, are the group at the greatest risk of contracting the disease.
Kufo said there is no cure for EVD but there is supportive care, such as treating diarrhoea and weakness, among other symptoms.
He said no doctor is aware of what the life insurance coverage is, adding the government needs to be clear about it.

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