Health Minister raises fears of second wave of COVID-19 infections
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has warned that failure by Nigerians to adhere to COVID-19 protocols may result in a second wave of coronavirus infections in the country.
The Minister spoke during the virtual Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Guild of Medical Directors in Lagos State, under the theme ‘Post-COVID-19 Era: Economics and Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria’.
Ehamire observed that a second wave of the pandemic is already being experienced in Europe and America.
According to him, the development should give Nigerians concern because of the high volume of human traffic from Nigeria to those continents, reopening of schools and serious disruptions caused by the recent EndSARS protest.
He said: “I fear that with the laxity displayed by our own population, our own second wave is imminent.”
Ehanire called on the private sector and state governments to help propagate compliance to non-pharmaceutical measures such as hand-washing, use of face masks and social distancing, among others.
Also, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, advised doctors to ensure professionalism and courage, maintain good reputation and ethics in carrying out their services, and participate actively in politics.
President of the GMD, Prof Olufemi Babalola, noted that 2020 has been the most challenging for doctors in private practice because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown.
