LAGOS MAY 30TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Delta State Government has inaugurated a 100-bed isolation/treatment centre at the Permanent Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Isele-Uku, administrative headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area.
The facility was rehabilitated and equipped under a partnership involving the state government, the private sector Coalition on COVID-19 (CACOVID) and the NYSC.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who performed the official opening ceremony on behalf Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said the government was being proactive towards managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the state would be ready should the number of infected persons suddenly rise beyond the 17 confirmed cases as at the time of inauguration.
Ebie said the establishment of the centre was sequel to the directive by the Federal Government to NYSC to make available some of its facilities nationwide for treatment and management of COVID-19.
He added while the state rehabilitated the building, CACOVID provided the state-of-the-art medical equipment.
He thanked the private sector donors for their patriotic gesture and valuable support to Delta State in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and called for more support to win the battle.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, said that with the inauguration of the facility, the state’s capacity to deal with the pandemic has been greatly enhanced.
He also disclosed the state had begun the process of community testing for the COVID-19 beginning with 19 wards in Udu Local Government Area as well as special focus on Oshimili-South and Oshimili-North.
He also informed the installation of a testing centre in Asaba has increased the state’s testing capacity to 4,000.
Ononye said: “This is a 100-bed isolation unit, fully equipped with mobile X-ray and mobile ultra-sound and every facility required to handle patients that will be treated here even though it was initially designed to be a holding centre.
“We believe that with this facility, the capacity of the state’s COVID-19 response team to deal with COVID-19 related issues has been greatly enhanced”.
Representative of CACOVID and Zonal Manager of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Lucky Ighade, thanked the State Government for its commitment in handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He assured them that CACOVID was determined to render more support in the nearest future.
Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Mimmie Oseji; Director of Medical Services and Training, Dr Charles Ofili and Chairman of Aniocha North, Mr Chuks Oseme attended the inauguration ceremony.