Four days after the presidential address that announced that the lockdown will be eased to allow skeletal commercial activities, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a statement expressing concern over the government’s decision to lift the stay-at-home order.

In a memo dated May 1st, 2020 that was signed by the president of the Association, Dr. Francis A Faduyile and the Secretary, Dr. Olumuyiwa P. Odusote, the Medical Body decried the decision to lift the lockdown, calling it premature.

Below is the statement.

“As the incidence of the COVID-19 hits 2000th mark by this weekend just seven days after hitting 1000th mark, it figuratively tilts the epidemiological curve towards an upward spike. More so, the revelation by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) that the nation lacks for bed spaces in Lagos worsens this frightening scenario. The confusing situation in Kano is neither unraveled nor resolved. At the same time, some States continue to live in the delusion of zero COVID-19 incidences.

At the point we are today, the Nigerian Medical Association unequivocally states as follows:

The easing of the lockdown even in phase is very premature. Nigeria should learn from her neighbor Ghana where the same action produced a 100% increase in infection rate in just a week. Instead, the Association believes that agencies of state should intensify efforts through mass enlightenment campaigns beyond current attempts to explain the dangers inherent in easing the lockdown prematurely in the face of rising infection rates; and also for the palliatives to reach the needy. We appreciate the efforts of state and non-state operators on their efforts so far, but urge them to do more.

The Association bemoans the rather meddlesome pronouncements by some state actors on the management protocols for COVID-19 in the country. In particular , we view the directive by the Bauchi State Governor for the use of a specific drug in the treatment of positive cases as improper and unethical. Medical doctors have the prerogative to use whatever treatment regimen they… therefore, implore our leaders to desist from distracting our time tested doctors and health workers. Instead, they should encourage them through the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), incentives and communication tools to interact with peers within the country and overseas as it is customary in the world of medical science to arrive at the best possible intervention for their patients.

With 113 Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in Nigeria reportedly infected with COVID-19 in the course of discharging their duties, NMA reminds all doctors and HCWs not to let down their guards in adhering strictly to Infection Prevention and Control Protocols. The Association re-emphasizes that all HCWs should wear proper PPE before attending to any patient as every patient is a potential COVID-19 patient. Furthermore, the Association notes with dismay the delay in distributing the available PPE to all public and private hospitals to prevent, detect and treat more patients as it ought to, and pray that the burgeoning bureaucracy is not a clog to the wheels of progress in this regard.

We wish that the “panel of experts” recently inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Health is empowered to immediately commence their work of thinking, analyzing, collating and disseminating the most relevant medical information that informs the best management of our COVID-19 patients. Science and knowledge must inform policies and politics. We appreciate the FMOH for finally listening to the plea we made several weeks ago.

We wish the nation and our people the safety and protection from COVID-19 while praying the authorities to continue to carry out all necessary and more invigorated knowledge-based interventions a zero COVID-19 Nigeria.”

Many Nigerians have expressed the same sentiment especially regarding lifting the lockdown, following the news that Ghana’s infection rate increased by over 25% in one day after the West African neighbors relaxed its lockdown. The surge resulting in the infection of over 2,000 people in Ghana has forced the government to reorder a lockdown.

It is seen as a deadly gamble to ease the restrictions when the most affected states in Nigeria lack the capacity to contain the eventual consequences.

Lagos has the highest number of cases in Nigeria with 1006 as of Friday, with many contacts to trace. The director of Nigerian Center for Disease Control Chikwe Ihekweazu said on Wednesday that Lagos has run out of bed space, even though the State MOH has introduced more isolation centers to the existing ones.

“Lagos is the only place where are struggling with bed spaces for now. We will always tell Nigerians the truth, we are struggling with bed spaces for now,” he said.

The Federal Ministry of Health had on Friday, in anticipation of more cases, appealed to Nigerians to donate unoccupied houses to serve as isolation centers. It is believed that there are more people infected than it appears on the record of confirmed cases, but due the testing capacity of Nigeria that falls below par with other African countries, the figures are yet to be uncovered.

South Africa has tested over 207,530 people, followed by Ghana’s 113,497 and Egypt 90,000. Nigeria has conducted only over 13,689 tests so far which is regarded to be too poor for a country of 203 million people.

The case with Covid-19 is that it shares symptoms with basically a host of other ailments. Interestingly, it shares the same feelings a man gets when his phone is being checked by his wife. At the onset, he experiences some difficulty in breathing, sweating copiously, then weakness, and of course, aches both at the stomach and head regions. When she asks, who is Chioma? The dry cough begins. I don’t intend to make you laugh. This is no joke. For this cause, several techniques have been engaged by different countries of the world to tackle Covid-19. The trial and error problem-solving method have been the first choice amongst and across most nations.

Believe me, it is yielding positive results and some devastating ones too. But to what extent you may ask? Whatever it is, some countries are not taking that risk at all for reasons best known to them. It is either they are clueless or masters at “copy and paste” strategies. They prefer to take the template of the trials that have not erred hook line and sinker without a thought if it is good enough for them or not. Are we not commons of “what is good for the goose is good for the gander?” These are nations with smart people but poor strategists and average thinkers too.

Nigeria is also doing well and we must commend the government, the NCDC, health, and essential workers who are at the frontline for us all. Following several suggestions on the media by experts, the common sense makers, and many partnerships, testing capacity has increased, more cases have been identified, and better plans are being made. This shows the authorities are listening and acting responsibly. For instance, in the last Presidential Broadcast by H.E. Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, April 27, 2020, the government consented to relax some sectors of the economy in a bid to alleviate the sufferings of the people and abate economic collapse. 

The public works, agriculture, markets, restaurants, and some transport sectors are to operate within a stipulated time while maintaining strict physical distancing measures as contained in the NCDC phase-wise opening strategy. It is expected that people must wear face/nose masks, observe a general curfew from “8 pm to 6 am” (to restrict social activities at night like parties and clubbing which may have very low compliance), maintain physical distance in private and public transport facilities, etc. Of course, interstate travel remains closed as well as schools, religious centers, sports and hospitality services, and other social events.

This is a good strategy by the government to salvage the economy from grinding and ease the sufferings of Nigerians who depend on their daily earnings to survive. This fight for us is between coronavirus and hunger. Put in another way, between the rich and the poor. The rich are afraid of the virus and can afford to stay at home because they have food to eat. The rich also want the poor to stay home to avoid further spreading of the virus. But the poor can no longer stay home; if they do, they will die of hunger. So, they take their chances of survival by going out. What a paradox? As good as the plan to resume the economy may seem, the fight over the virus is not yet worn. 

According to NCDC reports, the number of new cases is hiking the curves. No government has a verified formula for eliminating COVID-19, they are all experimenting, and reopening the economy is one of these experiments. The government is doing its best to manage the COVID-19 situation. The government cannot tell you what the definite outcomes will be over the weeks ahead neither does any of us. Two things could happen. First, we could possibly keep the economy peddling as well as flatten the curve by containing further spreads of the virus simultaneously. Second, we could move into the fourth stage of transmission with tens of thousands of new cases every day. If the latter is the case, then, the government may be tempted to enforce an indefinite lockdown again, leaving many to suffer and die of hunger. We do not pray to witness this but we must all comply with the directives on physical distancing.

What is expected of us as responsible citizens? Just a piece of advice, when you leave to work do not go about your affairs with no care or fear of the virus. Rather protect yourself and obey government directives, the NCDC rules, and other lifesaving rules that your organization may put in place. COVID-19 is not a joke. As a father, mother, brother, sister, friend, and colleague whose health determines that of others, do the right thing and stay ahead of the virus.  Wear a face mask (buy the sealed one, not the one sampled by five persons already) everywhere you go in public. In your office, market, private, and public transport vehicles observe physical distancing. 

Do not rush into public vehicles or stay in an overcrowded one. If you have your car, this is the time to use it. Corporate organizations should also provide more vehicles to ensure physical distancing in their staff buses. Organizations that can afford employees to work remotely should do so. While we are doing our bits, religious institutions, schools, entertainment centers, sports centers, etc., should resist any temptation of opening without adequate approvals. If things go as expected, I believe the government will unfreeze more sectors.

What will be the dangers if we do not obey these simple instructions? Being fully aware of the Nigerian system, where everything is working but nothing seems to be working. A place where we are in a shortage of many things including funds, health workers, test kits, food supply, electricity, social welfare, and what have you. We should not risk our lives this time by being careless. If most of us go about carelessly, this virus will spread like a wildfire and containment will become onerous – such as witnessed in Italy and the US. Many people will be left to die like animals, treatment will be according to age, gender, and even status. Certainly, the masses may suffer more because their treatment may come at a price owing to the shortage of health workers and treatment resources.

Our fight indeed is between what we will eat and the coronavirus. We are not like the countries taking care of their citizens but you need to stay alive to see Nigeria achieve that feat. Before you act carelessly, remember our situation, nobody cares. Putting yourself at risk would not be the best way to overcome the virus and still make ends meet.

In summary, the government is not relaxing the lockdown because the coast is clear neither is she in full control of the virus. The government has made a decision they feel is in our best interest with stipulated rules of engagement. This seems like a trial, so, make your own rule to stay safe and comply completely with the government instructions for the weeks ahead. However, the relaxation in lockdown is not for everyone. If you do not have any serious business, it is better you avoid going out, stay in, and stay safe. Act responsibly not for the government but your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Do not put other people’s lives who make contact with you at risk.

The first time God destroyed the world with flood according to the Holy Bible, only one man – Noah, his household and properties were saved. Why? He obeyed instructions. Even, after the quarantine in the ark, Noah did not step out immediately. He sent out a dove to experiment or check if it is safe to step out. So, as you get out this week starting on Monday, do not be a dove for anybody or for any reason. Be as wise as a serpent and put your safety first before anything else – that is the rule of engagement. If you fall sick of this virus, work, hunger, and money will not matter to you any longer, only survival will.

Be wise and Stay Alive.