Health Workers under the banner of the Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA) say they want a nationwide lockdown to battle the new wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
According to the President of LMDA, Dr. Emmanuel K. Ekginabah, government should implement an immediate nationwide lockdown to initiate massive contact tracing and arrest the rapid spread of the virus within the population.
President Ekginabah made the assertion Monday as the new wave continues to spread around the nation.
He indicated that the Ministry of Health should consider opening additional isolation and treatment centers across Liberia.
He noted that the current available facilities are rapidly running out of capacity and supplies to accommodate the increasing number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases. “We also recommend the isolation of all COVID-19 cases, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, as was done during the first wave,” he added.
President Ekyinabah lamented that health workers should be protected with needed personal protective equipment (PPE) in all health facilities and at all times. He maintained that the lack of PPE will lead to an increased infection rate among health workers, which will cause panic and de-motivation to others.
He pointed out that government, through the Ministry of Health, should consider expanding and decentralizing testing facilities in order to shorten the turn-around time of COVID-19.
President Ekyinabah maintained that government should be encouraged to collaborate with the private sector, if possible, and ensure the validation of result through the National Reference Lab.