The Enugu State Executive Council on Wednesday approved the
sum of N320million to prevent as well as tackle the scourge of COVID-19 in the
state in case of any outbreak.
Briefing journalists after a meeting with the state
executive council to update it on the level of preparedness in case of any
emergency that may arise from the virus outbreak, the state medical team led by
the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, stated that
the council approved the immediate upgrade and relocation of the state isolation
centre to ESUT Teaching Hospital at Parklane, Enugu.
Agujiobi disclosed that the council’s decision was
based on the medical team’s recommendation and in line with the advice from the
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that isolation centres are best
located within the specialist hospitals of the states for prompt and effective
emergency response.
He explained that the relocation “will be more
convenient, easier for patients who may have the virus or suspected to have it
to be attended to by medical specialists promptly and timely,” adding that the
patient will have access to “the X-Ray machines, the dialysis machine and other
high tech machines domiciled in the Teaching Hospital.”
The team leader, who appreciated the state Governor,
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his efforts and effective leadership role in driving “not
just the health sector but the entire sectors in the state,” disclosed that the
council considered and approved the procurement of more personal protective
equipment, sanitizers, masks, respirators and all that are needed to aid the
physicians manage their patients.
Agujiobi pointed out that the team requested for
the procurement of full-fitted ambulances and incident vehicles to help respond
to emergencies as they may arise as well as the release of funds for mass
advocacy and enlightenment in every nook and cranny of the state, including churches,
markets and schools.
“In a couple
of hours, all the radio stations in Enugu State will be agog with jingles and all
that we need to know regarding the COVID-19,” he said.
Agujiobi also added that the council equally
approved that funds be made available so that the health workers would have the
requisite training and pursue contact tracing of those who may be suspected or
may turn out to be positive “so that we don’t need to lack anything.”
He further explained that the sum of N150 million was
approved by the council to tackle the issue of coronavirus and to ensure that
the state is fully prepared, while the sum of N80 million was also approved for
the procurement of essential drugs that may be needed to treat and manage the virus,
Lassa fever and other communicable diseases.
The senior ministry official stated that the toll free line
is 117 and 112 while the dedicated line for emergency response is 08182555550.
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