Governor Udom Emmanuel has revealed that the Akwa Ibom state government has so far invested over N3billion in ensuring citizens survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Emmanuel revealed this while addressing Akwa Ibom residents in a citizens’ feedback programme, streamed on both electronic and social media platforms on Saturday, July 25.
According to him, in order to ensure that Akwa Ibomites can access the best health care, three more containers filled with medicals equipment and supplies have been acquired and delivered to the state.
He said his government is ensuring that both suspected and confirmed cases are fed and treated free of charge throughout their stay in the hospital.
He also said all 43 cottage and general hospitals have been provided with basic COVID-19 training and kits to improve the handling of cases before they are transferred to isolation centres.
In addition, a new PCR laboratory has been completed and is awaiting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) certification.
He also added that food items have been procured for the second round of palliatives distribution to the very poor across the 31 local government areas of the state.
“Government is building a new oxygen plant at the Isolation Center, Ituk Mbang that would attend to 300 patients simultaneously, as well as building a state-of-the-art toilet tissue factory and others,” he stated.
The governor further announced that his administration intends to up the ante in providing accessible and affordable medicare to Akwa Ibom people everywhere in the state.
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He said: “My target is that we have 49 functional ICUs before we leave office. Recall that I said while revamping some of our hospitals that there could be a condition where 30 minutes reach to a hospital matter, lo and behold coronavirus came!”
He disclosed that the state has entered the stage of community spread, appealing to citizens to protect themselves and comply with government safety protocols at public places and social events.
“We are at a stage of community transmission, and what that means is that you must protect yourself. At this moment, everything is important. Don’t ignore even a sore throat. Don’t wait to realise that coronavirus is real when it is too late,” he said.
Speaking further on the new PCR laboratory, the governor said it will boost testing.
His words: “I am glad to inform you that the State has activated the second PCR lab and it is 100% ready. We are only awaiting NCDC certification.
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“So be rest assured that we will soon step up the testings in the state. Now that we have a second laboratory, we will have more testings carried out.”
Meanwhile, the NCDC on Saturday, July 25, released the latest update on the coronavirus infections in the country.
The NCDC revealed that Nigeria has 438 infections, taking the number of cases much nearer to precisely 39, 977.
