Enugu State Government has approved N320 million for prevention or tackling of COVID-19 virus in case of any outbreak in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the emergency State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday to update the Executives on the level of preparedness of the state in case of any emergency that may arise from the COVID-19 outbreak.
The executives approved the immediate upgrade and relocation of the state Isolation Centre to ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu.
The permanent secretary also disclosed that the Council’s decision was based on the medical team’s recommendation and in line with the advice from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that Isolation Centres are best located within the Specialist Hospitals of states for prompt and effective emergency response.
“The relocation will be more convenient, easier for patients who may have Coronavirus or suspected to have Coronavirus to be attended to by medical specialists promptly and timely” he said.
Dr Agujuobi added that” the patient will have access to the X-Ray machines, the dialysis machine and other high tech machines domiciled in the Teaching hospital”.
He disclosed that the Council considered and approved the procurement of more personal protective equipment, sanitizers, masks, respirators and all that are needed to aid the physicians manage their patients.
The permanent secretary, who commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his support to the health sector, told newsmen that the medical team requested for the procurement of full-fitted ambulances and incident vehicles to help respond to emergencies as they may arise, as well as release of funds for mass advocacy and enlightenment in every nook and cranny of the state, churches, markets and schools.
He stated, “In a couple of hours, all the radio stations in Enugu will be agog with jingles and everything that we need to know regarding the Coronavirus.”
The Council approved that funds be made available so that the health workers will have the requisite training and pursue contact tracing of those who may be suspected or may turn out to be positive, “so that we don’t need to have anything lacking. ”
Dr. Agujiobi further explained that N150 million was approved by the Council to tackle the issue of Coronavirus and to ensure that the state is fully prepared, while the sum N80 million was also approved for procurement of important and essential drugs that may be needed to treat and manage Coronavirus, Lassa fever and other communicable diseases.
Approved also is “the sum of N100 million to be kept in the Emergency Operation Centre account, in case of any emergency or any need to access fund before the next EXCO, so that we won’t be talking that there is no fund”. he said.
The permanent secretary released toll free lines 117 and 112 as well as a dedicated line for emergency response 08182555550.
