Kogi State has acquired 5,000 antigen base test kits for the virus as it assures the people of the State of the State Government preparedness to ensure that Covid-19 is contained in the State.
The Hon Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu Haruna made this known during a practical demonstration of some of the testing kits before Journalists Lokoja.
He stated that, as a result of the rising speculation by the public on doubt about the readiness of the State Government in combating the spread of the dreaded Covid – 19 virus, the state has since acquired 5,000 to testing kits for the virus.
He disclosed that Kogi State is expecting a second batch of the Covid -19 testing kits, and assures the people of their commitment to saving their lives, having tested one hundred and eleven persons with the kits described as sophisticated and have recorded all results as negative.
Dr Saka noted that the silence maintained so far was basically to reduce panic and allow the people to carry out their economic lives which is also very important for their survival.
The Commissioner further explained that, government focused more on sensitization programme to create awareness to the pandemic in people, teaching them the precautionary measures to take in order to avoid the spread of the disease, noting that it has yielded tremendous results.
He equally mentioned that they have had interface with hundreds of thousands of Kogi people via dedicated free call lines and a web and Android application specifically designed for such purpose.
While pointing out that the application was not intended for use as a replacement for Covid-19 testing, but a means to interface with a section of the state population that have access to the internet so that they can be informed in the earliest times person who show symptoms indicative of Covid-19 or at the highest risk of contacting the infection.
Dr. Saka also informed the media that they have no cause to hide positive case, they will report it like they have been doing with measles, Lassa fever and polio.
He reiterated that the State Government will remain committed to putting the health need of the people as priority while promising that they will continue to implement approaches that are peculiar to the State with a strong resolve not to play politics with the lives of Kogi people.
In his remark, the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communication ,Evangelist Kingsley Fanwo said that the State Government would always cooperate with relevant health agencies that are ready to assist in strengthening the State’s health care infrastructure, while commending the health sectors in the State on the fight against the pandemic.
The CAN chairman, Bishop John Ibenu in his speech, advised people to partner with the government to keep Kogi state free from the Covid-19 virus.
He equally thanked the government for the work done to curtail the pandemic.
Dorothy L Onoja
PRO
Ministry of Health.
