The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), has warned of possible disease outbreaks following the recent flooding in Rivers State, urging residents to take precautions to protect their health.
The President of the association, Dr Chris-Biriowu Harold, gave the warning during the association’s Second Ordinary General Meeting, held under the theme, “Health Workers Security Summit.”
Describing flooding as a “turmoil,” Harold said it could increase the risk of diseases and epidemics, particularly malaria in flood-prone communities.
He also warned that the destruction of crops by floods could worsen food insecurity and lead to hunger and famine.
“Flood is a turmoil in any part of the world. It happens here in the Rivers State. We know the consequences. It can lead to diseases, plagues. There is always an increase in Malaria at flood-prone areas, and it can also lead to hunger and famine in the land because crops will die. People will suffer,” he said.
Harold urged residents to take measures to reduce their exposure to flood-related health risks, particularly by keeping their surroundings clean and avoiding the dumping of refuse in gutters and drainage channels.
He also commended the Rivers State Government for its efforts to mitigate the impact of the flooding.
Doctors Seek Better Security
On the security summit, Harold said the association was engaging security agencies to develop strategies for protecting doctors and other healthcare workers from assault.
“We are trying to engage the security personnel on our programme, the security summit, the organised security summit for doctors because of regular assault on doctors and healthcare workers. So we’ll be able to get good approach on how to tackle it.”
He advised healthcare workers to remain security-conscious, use established communication channels and promptly report security challenges.
Representing the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, ACP Ahunnaya Chukwudi said the command had continued to deploy personnel to protect healthcare facilities and residents.
He added that RSUTH had benefited from the security deployment, while urging health workers to remain vigilant and avoid situations that could escalate into violence.
“See something, say something, learn how to respond appropriately. Try to de-escalate. Make sure also you are safe in the working environment,” he advised.
Also speaking, Major Oluwakayode Johnson, who represented the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Ernest Okoro, described healthcare as “national critical infrastructure,” stressing that protecting healthcare facilities was essential to national security.
He called for the institutionalisation of functional hospital security committees, restriction of movement where necessary, emergency alarms, screening and detectors at entry and exit points, de-escalation training and the deployment of trained security guards to hospitals.
The summit, attended by healthcare workers and other stakeholders, also featured lectures on the rights of health workers and patients. Participants were advised to prioritise safety and avoid unnecessary altercations with patients.
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