COVID-19: Imo to establish specialist hospital

By Dikachi Franklin, in Owerri.

As part of efforts to nip the spread of the Corona virus pandemic in the bud, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has ordered the immediate closure of all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state. He also announced  a plan to establish a specialist hospital for the disease.

Uzodimma who made a broadcast to the people of Imo State on measures to prevent and control the Corona virus disease (COVID-19), stated that he is taking elaborate steps to ensure that the health and wellbeing of Imolites remain priority of his administration.

“As a responsible government, we have done our home work and I can assure you that there is truly no cause for alarm. All the necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that the virus does not find a breeding space in Imo State. Be rest assured that we shall not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that our people are safe, well protected by providing the necessary tool and expertise needed for maximum protection from Corona Virus pandemic”, he said.

The governor further reiterated that he has inaugurated a star-studded Corona virus Protection and Control Committee headed by  Maurice Iwu to commence round the clock surveillance of all strata of the state for effective prevention and control of the disease.

 Governor Uzodimma said that arrangements have been put in place to test all passengers arriving at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri for symptoms of the virus.

“Any passenger that manifests signs of the disease will first be taken to a bay that has been set up at the Airport for further examination. If confirmed that the symptoms are manifest, the passenger will immediately be taken to the test centres and if positive, quarantined at the isolation centre,” he said.

On some of the actions already taken by the government for prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Uzodimma stated:

“A state-of-the-art modern ambulance has been provided for the committee to facilitate its operations. This ambulance is equipped with necessary medical gadgets for quick analysis and test for the virus and will be on 24 hours standby to respond to any emergency anywhere in the state. In addition, we are liaising with the National Centre for Disease Control to ensure that we buy into the federal government’s corona virus prevention roadmap. Similarly, we are tracking global updates on the disease so as to remain ever vigilant on global efforts, control and eradication.”

He further noted that arrangements have been concluded to establish a specialist hospital specifically charged with control and prevention of the contagious disease. This, he said will ensure that neither corona virus nor any other contagious virus will be a threat to Imo people in the future.

Further to these measures, Governor Uzodimma affirmed that “an isolation centre has been set up within the state capital to quarantine any person who tests positive to the virus. A test centre has equally been set up in Owerri to examine those with symptoms of the virus.”

As an additional preventive measure,, Governor Uzodimma advised that residents returning from overseas must be self-isolated for 14 days and contact the  RAPID RESPONSE CENTRE (RRC) arm of the committee if need be.

Consequently, the Ministry of Health has been directed to immediately provide hand sanitizers to all government ministries and agencies. Similarly, hotels in the state are to provide hand-washing platforms and sanitizers where guests can regularly wash their hands.

To ensure effective monitoring of human traffic in and out of Imo State, bus operators are directed to maintain travel manifest as well as provide hand sanitizers on board their buses.

Governor Uzodimma, who earlier inaugurated the nine-man Corona Virus Prevention and Control Committee led by Maurice Iwu, a professor, charged them to undertake rigorous public enlightenment campaign, assuring that he will spare no resources to facilitate the committee’s assignment which is to ensure that the corona virus disease does not gain a foothold in Imo State.