The Akwa Ubom State Government has sacked Dr. Aniekeme Uwah as the State’s Epidemiologist following an alleged misunderstanding with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong.

Dr. Uwah was relieved of his position for allegedly taking samples from suspected COVID-19 persons without the approval of the Commissioner of Health.

Akwa Ibom State has recorded 11 COVID-19 cases, 3 have been discharged, 1 has died and 7 are actively being managed at the Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital (ISH).

As at Monday, April 20, only 53 samples were sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the COVID-19 test. There were rumors that the low number of tests conducted was due to the alleged interference by the Commissioner for Health.

A source said that permissions had to be taken from Dr. Ukpong, the Health Commissioner before samples from suspected COVID-19 cases were taken and sent to NCDC for testing.

Dr. Uwah is alleged to have defied the State Commissioner for Health by insisting that anybody that meets the criteria for COVID-19 testing would be attended to.



Dr. Dominic Ukpong, Akwa Ibom Health Commissioner
The source said, “He [Dr. Uwah] was told to take not more than 10 samples and… He insisted he will review the forms and take samples from all those who met the criteria.

“Besides, he informed the Commissioner that he couldn’t refuse to take samples from Doctors who are qualified for the test, and for which the State has the sample kits.


“He further told the Commissioner that it will cost the government not even an extra penny to take these samples. That is how Uwah ended up taking samples from 31 persons who met the criteria.

“And the Commissioner is not happy about it, that’s why he engineered his (Uwah) sack,” the source explained.



Dr Aniekeme Uwah sacked as Akwa Ubom State Epidemiologist (C) facebook.com/aniekeme.uwah
Another source named Bassey also corroborated what FIRST REPORTS’ source said. Bassey wrote, “Yesterday, I learned Dr. Uwah had supervised over 30 samples sent for COVID-19 tests, a step that obviously angered the commissioner for health who wanted not more than 10 to be sent.

“Dr. Aniekeme Uwah has tried for this state. His dedication, work ethics, and competence in service delivery are not in doubt. Let it be known that the government can only sack him from office, but they can’t erase the humane contributions he’s made for Akwa Ibom indigenes, they’re epitomized in our minds.”

But when our correspondent contacted one of Udom Emmanuel’s Personal Assistants, he said Dr. Uwah was sacked for allegedly insulting the governor.

“Yes, he has been sacked, I can confirm that to you,” the PA said.

https://firstreportsonline.com/covid-19-udom-emmanuel-sacks-state-epidemiologist/amp/

What's this nonsense? Ego tripping or what?

You see Nigeria?

So they have started politicizing this virus.

Please read the post to understand better before commenting

MoIbrahim:


A source said that permissions had to be taken from Dr. Ukpong, the Health Commissioner before samples from suspected COVID-19 cases were taken and sent to NCDC for testing.

Dr. Uwah is alleged to have defied the State Commissioner for Health by insisting that anybody that meets the criteria for COVID-19 testing would be attended to.
/

just allow the professionals to do their damn work frchrist sake.... all ds dhick head political appointees

I don't know why professionals are hardly ever allowed to work in this country and are always subject to interfering, ignorant political appointees and office holders!

Why should only 10 samples be taken at any point when there is capacity for more? Why subject both the professional and those in need of the services to some unneccessary pick and choose? Why should there be a requirement for approval before a medical procedure like taking samples for testing is carried out? Why ignore or postpone taking samples from those who meet the conditions? Is it for them to continue unknowingly infecting others or what?

Now he is sacked just because! Tufiakwa!

Never mind Dr. Epidemiologist it's their loss.

I mean, who goes about sacking scarce and endangered frontline medical personnels at this period?

FG might employ him.
Other States in the country might employ him with better conditions
Other African countries might need his service
Infact W.H.O might even beckon.

A blessing in disguise.

The Akwa Ubom State Government has sacked Dr. Aniekeme Uwah as the State’s Epidemiologist following an alleged misunderstanding with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong

This one na personal sacking

Protocol is not in his (epidemiologist) dictionary.

Shame! They don't want so many tests done so that the numbers to be reported will be low.

Nigeria!

Is this for real..?

Rivers State did not even have State Epidemiologist. I think this South South Governors are trying to hide the true numbers of cases in their states. Playing politics with Peoples life’s.

It seems there are too many covid-19 cases in Akwa-ibom and they are trying hard to hide it.

Why playing down d number of testing to be done when u have d capacity to do more without spending extra penny according to d story. Politicizing the Covid 19 quagmire thru under testing will be d greatest undoing of d govt and I pray this story goes viral so that d Epidemiologist is recalled

Hope its not true.... Anyway, waiting to hear from the horse's mouth

I have always told you guys not to take government statistics seriously because they may be doctored. Instead take personal responsibility of your safety in times like this. But then, Aniekeme Uwah was wrong organizationally for taking any action without instruction from his boss. Basic principle of management - flow of information.

What an idiotic and very careless government. Its obvious that there are quite a large number of suspected cases in that state, and since the governor was reluctant initially to do the right things in order to safeguard the citizens of the state, he feels too ashamed to face the backlash and criticisms that will follow should the number of cases keep rising due to sufficient testing. Probably he also don't want to loose monies he gets from the operational activities of the oil company in his state, so he will go at all length to paint a false picture of a safe and healthy state. It's a shame that this has cost the State epidemiologist his Job, but a wake up call for professional bodies to sanction anyone amongst them appointed by government but going against professional ethics in the discharge of their duties just to satisfy their pay masters.