A retired Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. Raphael Okafor has called on government at all levels to take the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for medical personnel seriously to ensure they carry out their duties unhindered and with sense of security.
The cleric described as suicidal the treatment of Covid-19 patients by health workers without protective equipment.
Okafor spoke when he led a team of clerics under the Igbo Christian Restoration Assembly (ICRA) to the government house, Awka, Anambra state to donate six cartons of hand sanitizers towards supporting the government in its fight against coronavirus pandemic.
He said, “The government must do more. No one sees death and voluntarily wants to go and die. It’s a commitment for the doctors to attend to the patients. But when you know that the disease is infectious, then it’s mandatory you have the PPE.
“But when it’s not provided, you don’t expect them to commit suicide, because many doctors have died in that process. But if these equipment are provided and you’re still afraid, then you’re failing as a medical personnel.”
Okafor regretted that people still trivialized the pandemic, particularly the wearing of facemasks in public places, including the church, stressing the need for more sensitization and enlightenment.
He added, “Members should not ridicule wearing facemasks. Sometimes it’s a matter of illiteracy. But the truth is that Covid-19 is real and it kills. We just heard that Anambra has three death cases. It’s very sad. Those in isolation centres are increasing.
“Even those that work in pharmaceutical shops are not wearing facemasks. The people who are supposed to show example are not showing. As much as possible, we the church leaders will keep on educating our members.
“Don’t tell them that it’s a law you must put on facemask. Because there’s a negative reaction when it’s presented as a law.
“These laws are put in place to prevent, which is better than cure. There are some people that can never take it serious if there’s no law. Life is very important and should not be taken lightly.”
Responding, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu thanked the team for the gesture, assuring that the donation would go a long way to ensuring the citizens, especially the frontliners were properly protected from the virus.
He regretted the minimal usage of facemasks among some church members, urging the religious leaders to encourage their members on the need to protect themselves from the pandemic.
Among those who accompanied the Anglican bishop to the visit were the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Moses Ezedebego and General Supretendent, National Evangelical Mission, Dr. O. C. Dominic.
