As part of the precautionary measures taken by the Federal Government against the importation of Corona Virus into Nigeria, and the response to be adopted in the event that the disease is imported, the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has carried out an inspection tour of the Isolation Centre under construction at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital(UATH), Gwagwalada.
In a brief meeting with the Chief Medical Director(CMD) of the Hospital, Professor Bissallah A. Ekele before the inspection, the Minister said that with the outbreak of the disease and its scare, any passenger who tests positive at the point of entry through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Abuja, need to be isolated, thus, the need to have an isolation centre at UATH.
He also said there is a need for a facility where diagnosis could be carried out by staff who would be trained by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Port Health Services Division of the Ministry, so that patients would not need to travel as far as Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, which is the special centre for Lassa Fever in Edo State.
The Minister therefore solicited the support of UATH to enable the health sector tackle the disease in case of its importation.
In his response, the CMD pledged not only to make the yet to be completed Isolation Centre available but also to offer the newly completed Accident and Emergency Department for temporary use while awaiting the completion of the Isolation Centre.
Among the Minister’s entourage are; The Acting Director, Department of Public Health, Dr. Wilfred Ene-Obong, the Director, Port Health Services, Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh, the Director, Special Duties, NCDC, Dr. Priscilla Ibekwe, the Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, amongst other dignitaries.
Enefaa Bob- Manuel
Head Media and Public Relations
