COVID 19: Kaduna strengthens disease control centre

Kaduna State  Ministry of Health has assured  residents of the that  the Infectious Disease Control Centre(IDCC) is ready to receive any case of the coronavirus pandemic,  as a critical care team is on standby to support the centre.

A statement issued by the ministry on Saturday,  said that  Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, the Commissioner for Health, gave the assurance   that IDCC had been strengthened.

The statement which was signed by the commissioner, said that Dr Baloni had meeting with  the  Chief Medical Directors of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital(ABUTH), National Ear Care Centre and representatives of the National Eye Centre in order to achieve this.

The commissioner further said that health workers had been trained following Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) case management protocols.

‘’This training is being cascaded to frontline health workers with the support of World Health Organisation(WHO) and other partners,’’ she was quoted to have stated.

The statement recalled that an Emergency Operations Committee(EOC), comprising all relevant stakeholders, was set up on 28th February 2020, adding that it  meets twice weekly to review progress.

According to the statement, the EOC was chaired by the Commissioner of Health and  it was saddled with  coordinating  the Kaduna State’s preparedness for COVID-19.

The ministry advised residents to be calm,  as it was monitoring the three persons who had recently returned from  the United Kingdom and Egypt, who were in self isolation but had shown no symptoms of the disease.

The statement advised the people of Kaduna State to observe basic hygiene in order to prevent  coronavirus, reiterating  that ‘’residents should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers.’’

The commissioner further said that  residents should  maintain social distancing, by keeping at least two meters apart from other people, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Dr Baloni also advised them to practise respiratory hygiene by covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing and disposing of the tissue immediately in a covered bin or cough into their elbows.

‘’All travellers from affected countries should self-isolate for a period of 14 days and report any symptom of cough, fever or difficulty in breathing to the following numbers: 08025088304, 08032401473, 08035871662 and 08037808191,’’  she added.

The statement recalled that Kaduna State Government had banned  gatherings of  more than 50 persons as well as closed all schools with effect from Monday.

The Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye who issued the statement, also said that  social gatherings like  parties, socialising  at bars, restaurants, night clubs and  public parks  had been  suspended until further notice.