From Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday hailed the Oyo State Government for its efforts to combat Coronavirus through its task force.
It also praised the efforts of frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Seyi Makinde has, however, made a case for the certification and approval of a laboratory located inside the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan as a testing centre for Coronavirus.
NCDC Director-General Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu spoke after touring the testing facilities and isolation centres as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Ihekweazu, who led the management of the agency as well as officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on a visit to Governor Makinde at the Agodi Government House, Ibadan, also visited the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), the state secretariat, Virology Laboratory Centre at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and the state-owned Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan.
The NCDC boss expressed delight at the manner with which the people in the state are coming together and collaborating at the state and federal institutions, agencies and bodies in the fight against the pandemic.
He said his team had compared notes with members of the state task force in the areas of improvement.
Said he: “I am happy to be here with the officers in charge of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and we are really impressed by the commitment of the governor and his team across all aspects of the response; from the laboratory at UCH, the public health team and the treatment centre that we have seen here.
“We have seen all components of the response beginning to come together. We now have to make these things functional, find a way of keeping it going and learn from one another as we progress in this response.
“I am impressed with the commitment of the government and all the resources in the state. I am happy that people are coming together across the federal and state institutions in Oyo State. And I think working together with WHO support, the NCDC support and all aspects of the government, we can really create a great example for the country here in Ibadan.
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“We have sat together earlier. We discussed, identified and exchanged ideas in some areas that need improvement. The key thing for this treatment centre is to get things started; to get the first set of patients in and try whether the systems move. You can never know how good a house is until someone is living inside. So, we have to bring in the first patients and make sure that everything works fine and we can grow from there.
“I think this centre will serve Nigeria, not just Oyo State. It will serve the entire country for many years for all sorts of infectious diseases, for research, for diagnosis and for care.
“So, I really look forward to coming back here in a few months and seeing a vibrant centre with workers, patients, researchers and activities happening. I leave Oyo State very gratified with the progress made, and I am very grateful for all of you and the good people of the state.”
While hosting the visitors at the Government House earlier in the day, Governor Makinde said the request for the approval of the IITA facility was imperative in view of the need to increase the numbers of laboratories in the state going by the large population and the desire to increase testing facilities.
He said that the institution had written letters to the NCDC and the state government in respect of the request for certification of the laboratory.
The governor said that Oyo, as a vast and populated state, required additional laboratories, adding that if Lagos had six certified laboratories by NCDC, then two or three laboratories wouldn’t be bad for Oyo State.
He reiterated the determination of his administration to test at least 10,000 people in the shortest possible time.
On measures put in place in addressing COVID-19, Makinde said he was able to assemble the best hands in the state such as the former Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge and a world renowned virologist, Prof. David Olaleye, to face the challenge.
He said that the government was doing its best to curtail the spread of Coronavirus.
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