Abia State government has inaugurated a committee to manage the prevention and preparation to handle issues about the reported outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid 19) in Nigeria.
The committee was inaugurated by Chris Ezem, secretary to Abia State Government (SSG) at the Government House, Umuahia.
The terms of reference of the committee, which is chaired by Joe Osuji, the state’s commissioner for health, include launching preventive media campaigns, putting machinery in place to protect vulnerable groups, such as school children, identification and preparation of isolation centers, in case of any outbreak in the state, procurement of test kits and drugs, as well as coordination with state and federal government agencies.
Other members of the committee are John Okiyi Kalu, the state’s commissioner for information, his counterparts in Homeland Security, Dan Okoli and Science and Technology, Chijioke Madumere, who will serve as secretary.
Ezem, while inaugurating the committee, charged members to ensure that no stone was left unturned to protect the people of the state and residents from the reported Coronavirus outbreak, as the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration in Abia, prioritizes the health and safety of the citizens, above other considerations.
He assured that government would provide necessary resources to support the committee in the discharge of its mandate without hindrance.
Osuji explained that the state ministry of health went to work early, by putting in place necessary preventive measures, as well as establishment of response protocols, in case of any outbreak in the state.
He stated that the ministry has already identified isolation centres in Umuahia and Aba, while working on a third centre to be located in Abia North Senatorial Zone.
Osuji further called on the people of the state to observe good hygiene practices, including regular washing of hands, cleaning of their environment and prompt reporting of suspected cases to medical facilities in the state.
He informed that the ministry has already procured face masks and gloves for distribution to medical centres and will soon embark on preventive screening of people, who visit government offices and other high risk public places.
Other terms of reference for the committee, include: mitigation plan to prevent collapse of trade and commerce in the state in the unlikely event of an outbreak, defining a plan to protect public places including eateries, hotels and restaurants.
The committee is also to liaise with medical institutions in the state and beyond to coordinate response and testing as well as advise government on any other incidental step that is necessary to combat the disease in case it breaks out in the state.
