By
Dorothy L Onoja
The management staff of the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja has been told to join hands with the State Ministry of Health to work harmoniously to curb the great danger of Covid-19 pandemic that is ravaging the country.
The Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu stated this during the visit of the team from the Federal Medical Center, on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Dr Saka thanked God that Kogi state is free from the virus for now, adding that the Ministry of Health cannot bear the burden of Covid-19 alone, saying that they need their sister organization from the Federal and LGA level’s to collaborate with the ministry to defeat the virus.
He explained that the state is in the heart of the country , sharing boundaries with 10 other states including the FCT.
According to him, 7 states out of the 10 states have confirmed cases of Covid-19 which shows that Kogi state is very venaurable to the virus.
The commissioner for health also disclosed that the people of the state shares common market and commuter with people from the neighboring States which to him is a big threat to the state.
Dr Saka expressed his happiness that they have been able to put certain things in place in the form of preventive measures to shield the state from the pandemic, but however stressed that there is the need to do more .
The Hon. commissioner further stated that the FMC Lokoja have a staff strength to be recon with and advised that all hands should be on deck to ensure that they protect the people of the state.
He added that apart from the health hazard, the pandemic can also affect the country’s economy.
In his response, the Managing director Federal Medical Center, lokoja, Dr O. O. Alabi thanked the management staff of the State Ministry of Health for their efforts so far in readiness to curtail the spread of the virus.
He disclosed that they have a rapid response committee at FMC to tackle the issue, adding that, the center had carried out massive sensitization campaign in the hospital and within the state to enlighten the people on how to maintain general hygiene.
Dr Alabi equally talked on their level of preparedness in corbarting the disease .
He appreciated the state Ministry of Health for organizing trainings for health workers in readiness for the out break of the virus in which, staff from the Federal Medical Center equally benefited.
He promised to synergize with the Ministry of Health to fight the pandemic.
