As part of measures to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Edo State Government has embarked on the training of 4,218 medical personnel across the state. The government is also to stock up medical supplies and engage in massive testing exercise.
Deputy Governor and Chairman, Edo State Response Committee on COVID-19, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, said this at a press briefing, in Benin city, on Monday, while speaking on the State Government’s preparedness to halt the spread of the disease in the State.
According to him, “The Edo State Government has embarked on training of a total of 4,218 medical personnel drawn from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state in the first instance. These persons already have basic training for handling crisis, but their skills level needs to be updated to contain the emerging trends. They would be undergoing Train-the-Trainers (ToT) sessions, after which they will go back to their respective facilities to train their colleagues. The health workers are drawn from private, state and federal government medical centres.”
He noted that the state was ramping up medical supplies to tackle the pandemic, especially the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which would ensure that health workers who would be on the front line during the outbreak would be equipped with complete kits to protect themselves.
While stressing that the state has 25 ventilators that are ready, the Deputy Governor added that the state government is also working to increase the number of ventilators and other equipment necessary for isolation of cases towards containing the outbreak.
He further noted that Edo State Government will commence massive screening and testing for coronavirus in order to get a statistical sense of the widespread the virus in the state and ensure effective planning and containment efforts.
The Deputy Governor also disclosed that the State’s Response Committee on COVID-19 would continue to meet virtually every day to monitor and manage the state’s response to the pandemic.
On the two confirmed cases in Edo State, the Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the State, Mrs. Faith Ireye, said 71 contacts have been listed, and 13 persons have been identified with their samples taken to Irrua Specialist Hospital for testing.
Speaking on those who returned from abroad, she said over 36 persons were on self-isolation and have completed their 14 days, and 46 others are being followed up.
she emphasized the importance of social distancing, and urged all to work together to keep the state safe for us all.
By Besiru Enakhimion.
