Doctors handling cases of the novel Coronavirus in Bayelsa on Wednesday appealed to the Bayelsa COVID-19 Task Force to ensure adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Dr Ebidimie-Divine Irole, President of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bayelsa State chapter of Association of Resident Doctors made the appeal in an interview in Yenagoa.

He said the appeal was premised on the recent upsurge in the spread of the coronavirus infections in Bayelsa with more than 20 doctors exposed to COVID-19 patients already infected.

“We are appealing for adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the government, we have some but what we have is not enough and our members who have contact with COVID-19 patients are at great risk.

“As we speak more than 20 doctors have tested positive and this calls for concerted efforts for the COVID-19 response team to see the issue of PPE as a priority.

“We also urge the stakeholders to join forces to strengthen the health sector and combat the pandemic adding that the frontline medical workers required support and motivation to boost their morale.

“We are still waiting for the implementation of the hazard allowance as announced by the federal government, we are very optimistic and hope that the state government extends the gesture to our counterparts at the state level,” Irole said.

On the strike called off by the national leadership of resident doctors on Sunday, Irole said that they complied with the directive to resume work on Monday, adding that normalcy had returned to FMC Yenagoa.