The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State Chaptér has directed all its member to sit-at-home with effect from 6pm on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 in protests against police harassment of its members on official duties.
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This follows the conflicting order restricting the movement of essential workers amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Dr. Saliu Oseni and the Secretary of the association, Dr. Moronkola Ramon, the NMA deplored the comment of the Commissioner of Police in Lagos state to the effect that essential workers, including doctors and other health workers, are not exempted from the restriction.
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“We have observed that despite the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, which was clear on the exemption of essential workers including doctors and other health workers from the ongoing lockdown movement restriction.
“The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, has been issuing conflicting directives on social and mainstream media to effect that essential workers including doctors and other health workers are not exempted.
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The association revealed that the confusion has led to the harassment and intimidation of its members and other health workers, including stopping an ambulance from conveying a patient from getting to its destination.
“As a direct result of the conflicting directives of the government and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), was inundated yesterday (Tuesday, May 19, 2020) evening with several cases of harassment and intimidation of doctors and other health-workers by officers and men of the Lagos State Police Command on the direct order of the Commissioner of Police to the extent that even ambulances carrying patients with emergency cases were impounded.
“The NMA has resolved that it is presently unsafe for members to continue to provide healthcare services under the arrangement”.
The association vowed that its members will not go back to work until a written statement is issued by the government and police authorities stating in clear terms the status of essential workers as the curfew enforcement continues.
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“All medical doctors in Lagos State are hereby advised to proceed on a sit-at-home, in their best interest starting from 6 pm today Wednesday, May 20, 2020, indefinitely, until otherwise advised”.
See Full Statement Below:
The Inspector-General of Police had on Tuesday rescinded the order restricting the movement of essential workers.
Earlier in the day, Channels Television reported on how essential workers were restricted from moving within Lagos at the beginning of the 8 pm curfew imposed to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
According to security officials enforcing the order, health workers and journalists could not be allowed to move around after 8 pm.
However, in a statement, IGP Mohammed Adamu said essential workers can now go about their essential duties.
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