By M. Peter, Jos.
The Plateau State Government is investigating the circumstances surrounding the leak of the confidential laboratory result of some suspected COVID-19 cases carried out at the National Veterinary Research Institute Testing Centre in Vom which have been circulating in the social media.
It would be recalled that the result of the test carried out on a suspected case which turned out positive was first circulated on the social media before the NCDC made any announcement and the incident caused panic among residents as the picture of the alleged victim and her area of residence were also being circulated.
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The authority of NVRI, Vom which houses the test centre has since distance itself from such breach of professional ethics and called for investigation to undercover the source through which the confidential information got to the social media.
The State Government has also expressed disappointment with the unprofessional act.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang in a statement said the act “breached ethical medical standards, but also exposed the suspected cases to negative consequences including stigmatization and discrimination.”
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“Government totally condemns this act which regrettably has the tendency of jeopardising its efforts at fighting the Corona virus pandemic that is ravaging the world and in order not to allow that to happen, the Government has since commenced comprehensive investigations into the matter with a view to unraveling those responsible and applying the necessary punishment.
“Accordingly, the investigation will cover the entire process of the test from sample collection, investigation and result dissemination. The Government assures members of the public not to be deterred by this isolated incident as all measures have been taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Members of the public are advised to continue to abide by all the regulations of social distancing, hygiene and sanitation and also report any suspected case.”
