Cross River chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has withdrawn its services from all medical facilities in the state.

Cross River is the only state in the country where no case of Covid-19 has been officially confirmed.

In a letter addressed to Mr Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, on Sunday, state chairman of the association, Mr Agam Ayuk, said lives of the doctors are at risk over Covid-19 situation in the state.

The association wondered why Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has not included Cross River in its daily update of Covid-19.

The association stated five positive cases recorded in the state had their tests done at an approved laboratory of NCDC, yet their results have not been published in the agency’s situation report.

“The Association demands explanation from NCDC, why the five (5) confirmed cases from UCTH carried out at NCDC accredited Molecular Laboratory at Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, have not reflected in the daily situation report, long after results had been transmitted to UCTH since July 1, 2020. Congress demands update of NCDC situation report as a matter of urgent public health interest,” the association said.

“Congress demands explanations from NCDC, why epidemiology code numbers have to be generated by Cross River State ministry of health before results of samples sent by UCTH to an NCDC approved Molecular Laboratory can be published by NCDC despite having approved UCTH as an independent Test Centre.

“NCDC is put on notice that Cross River state government has abdicated her responsibility of contact tracing, treatment and care for the five (5) confirmed cases which may not be unconnected with the delay in publication of the results by NCDC.

“Members of the Association and residents of Cross River State have been put in a precarious public health and safety situation due to the confusion and uncertainty created by the delayed updating of the results by NCDC.

“Congress demands explanation from NCDC why despite several complaints of compromised testing in the State, investigations have not commenced on the unethical activities carried out by Cross River state Covid-19 Task Force.”

The Cable