Nigerian government works with education ministry on school resumption
The Nigerian Medical Association in Cross River State has kicked against the state government’s plan to reopen schools from next week.
Cross River State government had slated the resumption of some of its public schools for Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The government said it would open three schools in each senatorial district in the state.
Governor Ben Ayade promised to provide free Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), manufactured at the Calabar Garment Factory for all the pupils in the public schools.
But, the association, in a press release signed by its Chairman, Agam Ayuk, and the Secretary, Ezoke Epoke, on Saturday in Calabar, said the quick resumption of schools had the potential of causing significant disease outbreak among students.
-Advertisement-
The Nigerian Medical Doctors said that there was no evidence to show the real COVID-19 status of the state due to its unacceptable low testing level.
READ ALSO: Cross River government fixes date for schools’ reopening
The association therefore asked the state to use technologies to provide remote learning opportunities and educational programmes for students in public schools.
“The declaration by the Cross River Government on a trial resumption of three public schools in each of the three Senatorial Districts in the state to commence on June 16, 2020, is alarming.
“The gross under-testing for COVID-19 in Cross River is a significant public health concern.
“The COVID-19 tests breakdown by states as at June 10, 2020, released by NCDC revealed that Cross River has carried out only nine tests using the NCDC Molecular Laboratory.
“The Association continues to advocate for upscaling of COVID-19 testing in the state.
READ ALSO: Nigerian government works with education ministry on school resumption
“The Association uses this medium to appeal to both the federal and state governments to expedite plans for accreditation of Dr Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, Calabar, a Bio-Safety Level Three Laboratory and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, as testing centres for COVID-19,” it said.
The NMA explained that the accreditation of these centres would not only upscale testing in the state, but will also reduce the turnaround time for COVID-19 tests.
We do everything possible to supply quality news and information to all our valuable readers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
-Advertisement-
-Want to get the news as it breaks?-
