Following the emergence of the novel Corona Virus in Wuhan, China, last December which have spread to more than 80 countries of the world with antecedent global death tolls within millions and with confirmed cases of infestation according to World Health Organization who also declared the virus as a world pandemic and an international health emergency of very high global risk level.
Nigeria with her own fair of infection, has recorded over 20,000 confirmed cases of the virus with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recording a high number of infected persons. With FCT’s close to 2000 confirmed cases, it was very clear that the ravaging pandemic has gross dire negative impacts on the social/ economic livelihoods of Nigerians across board.
The Federal Government became very apprehensive on how best to control the scourge hence, President Muhammad Buhari inaugurated the Presidential Task Force team on Covid-19 to stem the tide. Consequently and in view of the urgency to map out places with ambience for accommodation for infected Nigerians within the FCT to be isolated in accordance to the safety protocols, 3 centres were selected as isolation Center by the (PTF) on Covid-19 namely- National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Agura Hotels and National Youth Service Corp Orientation Camp in Kubwa. It was on this premise that facilities and premises of the National Centre For Women development as one of the selected isolation Centers were decontaminated on the 12th of April to ensure a healthy environment for both the essential workers at the Center and every external visitor thereby posing no health threat to anyone.
Inspecting the centre, the Minister of State (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu in company of the Director-General of National Centre for Women Development, Mary Ekpere-Eta as well as members of PTF, NCDC, WHO, stated that the Centre’s 160 bed spaces speak volumes on the Capital Territory Administration’s preparedness to accommodate the surge.
After the inspection and decontamination exercise, the Minister was full of commendation for the Director- General, Mary Ekpere-Eta on the quality of renovation and face lift carried out at the centre prior to the outbreak of the pandemic stating that the place is wearing a new look and comfortable for the in-bound asymptomatic patients.
NCWD being the only fully operational centre out of the initial selected three has so far hosted over 200 patients till date while still remaining very open in accommodating more with every comfort and care necessary.
Reacting to the urgency and need of the moment, the NCWD Boss, Mary Ekpere-Eta, disclosed that besides the 160 bed spaces, the centre’s willingness to also make available for use the training classrooms which can be converted to accommodate additional 300 patients as well as two standard industrial kitchens that will cater for the dietary needs of that number while in isolation at the Center.
She reiterated that the Center’s location in the heart of the Central Business Area directly opposite the CBN building and the beautiful ambience of the Center are the wonderful attributes that help the patients go through the period with the mindset that it is not the end of the road nor a death sentence. The Center has also produced large quantities of sanitizers, disinfectants and branded facial masks that are used in the Center as well as to be distributed to women in the rural areas.
Ekpere –Eta commended President Muhammad Buhari, all stakeholders especially the health workers for rising up to the challenge while urging them not to relent in their efforts assuring them that Nigerians are praying for them and appreciate their selfless contributions in ensuring that we flatten the curve as a nation.
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Signed:
Judith Ogbogu.
Head, Press& Public Relations Unit.
