COVID-19: Abia Awaits NCDC’s Approval To Roll Out Nationwide Face Mask Distribution

…As Ikpeazu commences distribution of relief materials this weekend

The Abia state government says it has mass-produced face masks that will end the importation of the product into the country even as the deadly COVID-19 continues to hit nations hard globally.

The governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu in a television interview monitored by ABN TV on Friday said the state has shipped the first batch sample of the product to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Abuja, for approval for nationwide distribution, taking into account the necessary health standards.

“They are medical items which you must sanitize in a specific way. We have used the recommended items to sanitize them and I hope it will meet the requirement of the NCDC” he said.

He stated that the state is strategic in its lockdown, saying those who reside in rural communities are allowed to go to the farm, appearing in a face mask.

He also added that research has shown that only countries who embraced face mask have a minimal case of the COVID-19 disease, saying it will prevent 60 percent chances of contracting it.

The governor revealed that the state will start this weekend to roll out it palliative plans to the people, particularly regarding food items which he said is already available in a food bank dedicated for this purpose.

On the mode of distribution, he said the state will use community-based organizations, especially traditional rulers to reach out to churches and mosques so that they can reach out to the widows and poorest of the poor in their midst while observing social distancing.
He also expressed gratitude to those who have made donations to the state to cushion the effect of the lockdown on citizens.

The governor while maintaining that the state is ready in case of any outbreak of coronavirus in the state said 2 isolation centres have already been prepared while the third one will be available in five days.

According to him, 6 dedicated ambulances have been assigned to pick up suspected cases across the state for sample taking.

“Beyond that, all the 774 primary healthcare centres in Abia are linked to a call centre through telehealth. Abia launched her telehealth initiative since 2016 and we are the only state that has that infrastructure. We have a team of 12 doctors that are 24/7 on call and you are free to speak to them in vernacular. So it is easy through dedicated telephone numbers to reach our 12 doctors on call, ready at any time of the day.

“We also have a functional emergency response team for critical health. They have 2 ambulances attached to that particular healthcare service.

“We also have a functional geriatric outreach that has in the past one and half years have been going from community to community to attend to our old folks. We are bringing them back on board to ensure that those who are most vulnerable in terms of this coronavirus are reached test, medication, and support. We are going to distribute our palliative materials using the geriatric outreach since they already know where these old ones reside in our various communities” the governor said.

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