…FCT Almost Reached The Target Of 1000 Bed Spaces, Bello
TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire on Tuesday revealed that, during a pandemic like the COVID-19, the high volume of casualties produced within a short time, has challenged even the most established health systems in the world, by occasioning embarrassing shortages of equipment, bed spaces and treatment facilities.
He added that, even on global television screens, we have seen otherwise resilient health systems collapse before our eyes. Providing facilities and bed space for Isolation and treatment overnight became some of the most vital measures that could be taken to support the Health System in infection Prevention and control.
He gave this revelation at the handing over ceremony of the THISDAY DOME Treatment and Isolation Centre to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) , in Abuja, saying, is a landmark achievement in collaborations between public and private sectors to fight a common enemy and rescue our country and people from the grip of the raving coronavirus disease.
Ehanire hinted that Prevention of the spread of COVID-19 from one patient to the other or to health care workers and visitors is critical in limiting disease progression and flattening the epidemic curve.
According to him, “The case for all hands to be on deck to tackle the worst single Public Health Emergency of our generation, has been well made. The nature of this virus makes the identification and isolation of infected persons and their contacts a public health imperative, the importance of which cannot be overemphasized and an expedient measure in the fight against the highly infectious pathogen. It is critical for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and globally.
“Since the first confirmed case of covid-19 was announced on 27th February 2020 in Nigeria, there has been a steady surge in the number of cases and the epidemic curve to the extent that as at 11pm last night, there were two hundred and forty two new cases with 4,641 cases confirmed, 902 discharged and 150 deaths recorded in 34 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Community transmission that necessitates urgent response is already with us.
“It this realization, on the side of Nigeria’s private sector, who took it upon themselves to rise to the occasion that brings me at this juncture to mention and appreciate the contributions of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (known now as CA-COVID) and in connection with the event of today, the Sahara Energy Group and THISDAY Media & Technology Group for the donation of this THISDAY Dome Temporary Treatment & Isolation Centre. The Centre has not just added to the number of available bed spaces, but saved the Nigerian health sector the anxiety of looming shortages. It comes with the following:
Sahara Foundation Wards and ICU Centre complete with Ventilators, X- Ray and Dialysis;
THISDAY 54gene Testing Mobile Lab complete with reagents – with scalable 200 – 1000 tests per day; THISDAY 98 – Room Hotel & Conference Centre next door for medical staff for 6 months;
CBN Medical Grant in direct support to FMoH and FCDA for day to day management of the Isolation Centre; and An industrial grade medical incinerator.
” This is a fully comprehensive treatment center, professionally designed and equipped and repurposed to meet the pressing demands of the day. As H.E. the President has said, even if it turns out we don’t use it, we are thankful to have it. This facility was built to the highest quality standards of Infectious Disease protocols, by well experienced hands. I wish to extend my profound gratitude to the Chairman and members of the CACOVID-19 group. The Chair and my colleagues of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 are thankful for this consideration. We recognize the Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Energy Group, the Chairman THISDAY Media & Technology Group and other distinguished partners, who contributed to the success of today’s event”, he added.
Earlier, the FCT Minister, Mallam Mohammad Musa Bello with this facility, the FCT has almost reached the target of 1000 bed spaces. Within the FCT we have in existence, three treatment isolation centres, one of which was just handed over to us yesterday at Idu boasting a capacity for 500 beds. With your support in the next coming weeks we will be done with the pandemic.
Saying, there is no doubt in the long run, it will add to the bed spaces available within the territory for us to be using as treatment and isolation centre.
He, however, thanked the chairman of PTF and his members for providing this facility.
Similarly, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu said , she is optimistic that Nigeria will come out stronger.
Saying, we must uav realized the areas to strengthen our Institutions and the capacity building in human resources.
Also, the Chairman of Thisday Newspapers, Mr Nduka Obaigbena said the Isolation and Treatment Centre is one facility that can solve the problem of Covid-19 and thought he should give it out to fight this scourge.
According to him, We can test 200 person per day, and get result within 24hours.We are ready, willing, able and available to the federal government to defeat this pandemic.
