Abia state government says it is more than prepared to handle any eventuality arising from the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic as it has put up neccessary precautionary measures in place.
Conducting journalists round the Amachara Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, which is one of the three designated isolation centres in the State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji, in company of his Information Counterpart,John Okiyi Kalu,explained that some of the features at the center include two doctor’s room, nurses room, laboratory designated to host the testing kits and run other tests in addition to an, X-ray room.
Others include,a duffing room, five-bedded isolation wards, each for males and females with conveniences, TV sets, respirators, oxygen canisters, store room containing 7,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), treatment room, consulting room among others.
The Commissioner explained that apart from the two five-bedded wards, there is provision for 100-bedded extension in case of patient spill over with additional 2,500 PPEs at the location.
He noted that apart from the three existing Isolation centres, an additional one is to be established in Abia North senatorial zone adding that the state government is100 percent above many states of the federation in its readiness to contain the dreaded Corona virus scourge should it manifest in the State.
Dr Osuji regretted that the announcement from the National Center for Disease Control that ninety percent of the testing kits in circulation are fake has slowed the arrangement of the state government to import the testing kits and therefore appealed to the federal government to provide Testing Kits to Abia State and other States of the federation.
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The Commissioner also called on the people not to panic but adhere to the medical guidelines given to them on how to prevent the infection.
Contributing, the State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu,
said the state government has taken delivery of seven thousand pieces of personal protective equipment.
He said although there is no record of the epidemic in Abia, the state government might consider locking down in the nearest future as a precautionary measure.
The Information boss announced that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko to commence the payment of March salary to Abia workers and pensioners to be concluded Monday next week to enable Abians sustain themselves in the time being and called on private sector organizations not to slash wages of workers they decide to keep at home at this period.
While noting that the state government is ready to deploy all available resources to protect the lives of the citizens and residents,Okiyi advised those
who wish to assist the State in any way to follow Health guidelines provided by the state ministry of Health.
The state Epidemiologist, Lady Peace Nwaogwugwu, while displaying the sample collection packs said that those eligible to under go Covid 19 test include those who exhibit the symptoms such as cough, difficulty in breathing, persons with history of traveling to or those returning from Covid 19 virus endemic countries and must have contact with a victim of the virus or where the virus was treated.
She explained that at the moment the state has enough sample bags to dispatch samples to Edo state for analysis and assured Abians that with the measures put in place by the state government, the state is more than prepared to handle any eventuality arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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