Lagos Health Centres Run Short Of PPEs, Nurses Asked To Reuse Them

The Lagos chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) says that health workers are asked to reuse personal protective equipment (PPE) due to shortage.

This was made known by Blessing Israel, chairman of the association on Thursday, while receiving relief packages donated by Unilever PLC.

AllNews understands that Unilever PLC had donated cartons of baby powder, which would be distributed to all maternal/child care centres and hospitals in Lagos state.

During her presentation, Israel appealed to the government of Babajide Sanwo-Olu to make provisions for adequate PPEs for the health workers, as reusing the materials put their lives at risk especially a time when Nigeria is trying to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“There are some PPE that should not be reused, but nurses and other health workers are being asked to reuse them,” she said.

“It is not good enough, because it will continue to endanger the lives of health workers and the patients that are not COVID-19 positive in the hospitals.

“Our members have been reusing face masks, which are supposed to be the cheapest of all the PPE. I think, at this period, face masks should be manufactured in the state as well as the country, so as to check its shortage.”

According to Israel, some nurses already contracted COVID-19 as a result of unnecessary exposure to the virus.

“Many of our members are psychologically down at the moment; we appreciate the state government for its efforts, but we want them to do more for our people,” Israel added.

“We cannot fight the government, but be partners in progress; so, we must reason together to ensure that we curtail and eradicate COVID-19 in the state.”

This came moments after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised concern over the lack of PPE for health workers, which has contributed to the spread of COVID-19 among medical personnel in Africa.

Currently, Nigeria has a total of 38, 948 cases, with 14, 009 from Lagos which is the epicenter of the deadly disease.