LIP-SERVICE GOVERNMENT: HEALTH WORKERS HANDLING COVID-19 IN ENUGU STATE LAMENT AS THEY ARE ALLEGEDLY MADE TO BUY THEIR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Secret Reporters

Despite projections by medical experts that the number of positive Covid-19 cases may increase drastically if proper hygiene and adequate government effort is not put in place to curb the spread, the Enugu State government under the administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi have been fingered to pay lip service in combating the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the State.

Findings revealed that despite the bogus budgets as well as donations by Corporate organizations to aid the fight against the spread of the pandemic, medical workers within the state, especially the COVID-19 Team at Enugu North Local Government Headquarters are allegedly left with no option than to buy their hand gloves, masks, thermometer as well as other equipment to discharge their duties and protect themselves as the state government through the Ministry of Health saddled with the responsibility of providing such protective gears have failed to do so.

Despite the hostile nature of individuals reported to have come in contact with those who tested positive to the virus, it was also alleged that no form of security was given to the Covid-19 response team; leaving them at the mercy of angry mob who retaliate when advised to go on isolation.

Sources further revealed that the Covid-19 response team are usually met with mountain like challenges during contact tracing missions as on one instance, while trying to physically contact a lady who tested positive to the virus in a popular area within the state capital who had come in contact with about twenty persons, they were allegedly chased away by seemingly angry individuals who believe that they covid-19 pandemic was a hoax as the state keeps bubbling with no significant checks in place by relevant authorities.

This is as findings showed that most Clubs, Churches, and other Social Centres within the State carry out full operations with little or no adherence to laid down safety measures as several individuals within the State have now resorted to patronize locally made herbs and medicines which they believe can cure Covid-19 and other viral diseases.

The contact tracing team squealed that there were more non-reported cases within the State especially in ‘High-Class’ private hospitals patronized by influential figures in the country as well as the teaching hospital in the State all due to the lip-service paid by the state government in tackling the pandemic.

So far since the outbreak of the pandemic, 57 persons have tested positive to the virus in the State, with 26 active cases, 26 discharged and 5 deaths