Despite the clean bill of health given to Nigeria by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the battle against the Ebola Virus Disease, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso is stepping up efforts to combat an outbreak of the disease in the area. BODE DUROJAIYE reports.
Determined to compliment Oyo State Government efforts on Ebola,the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has put in place precautionary measures to prevent any outbreak of the deadly virus across the state.
To this end, the teaching hospital has set up a high- powered body known as Ebola Action Committee comprising of community health physicians, epidemiologists and virologists .
The committee headed by a renowned epidemiologist Professor Bayo Parakoyi has embarked on sensitisation and enlightenment programmes for residents of the metropolis through the media and town hall meetings.
Heads of both public primary and secondary as well as proprietors of private schools are not left behind in the preventive and precautionary measures by the health institution.
Medical and health workers have also been trained and sensitized with standing operational procedures on how to recognize Ebola virus and what to do as basic precautionary measures. Anti-Ebola kits worth millions of naira were also procured.
The kits include Ebola suits, infrared thermometer, masks, goggles and preventive foot wears.
Visitors as well as workers irrespective of status coming into the hospital must undergo screening with infrared thermometer, while water mixed with chlorine is placed at strategic places for everybody to wash their hands.
Addressing journalists in Ogbomoso, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor OIadele Sijuwola said: ‘’The outbreak and unfortunate spread of the Ebola Virus Disease requires the commitment of every Nigerian, especially a health facility like the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso
‘’We do not need to wait till we have a case on our hand before we prepare to contain such. The management appreciates the readiness of our health personnel to work with commitment irrespective of the sensitivity of medical case. It is, therefore, an issue of responsibility to provide the necessary equipment and the enabling environment for our doctors, nurses and other allied staff to attend to the health needs of the people. We already have anti-Ebola kits which include Ebola suits, infrared thermometer, masks, goggles and preventive foot wears,’’ he added.
Sijuwola also said the hospital was partnering with other stakeholders to sensitise Nigerians on how to contain the virus.
“Adequate dissemination of information is key in this battle against the deadly virus that we have on our laps. It is indeed a challenge, but the spread can be checked.
‘’It is only when people are well informed and educated that they can protect themselves and by extension curtail the spread of the disease. There has been a lot of misinformation since the virus unfortunately found its way into Nigeria,’’ he said.
Sijuwola added that a temporary observation/isolation rooms have been created besides the accident and emergency unit of the hospital.
He explained that person[s] with abnormal temperature after the screening will be taken to the observation/isolation room through another gate different from the main gate.
The CMD said such person(s) will later be taken to the State Ministry of Health in Ibadan with a standby ambulance for further examination and intensive care.
The permanent observation/isolation centre for Ebola cases is under construction adjacent the hospital.
On the on-going projects, professor Sijuwola who commended the Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led administration in the state for its determination in ensuring that the teaching hospital remains one of the best in the country hinted that about N1.3billion would be required to complete all the projects.
The CMD announced the approval of N40million by Governor Abiola Ajimobi for the completion of a dam project located at Oke-Owode area to boost water supply in the hospital.
When completed water supply to the institution would no longer be a problem. Water is being piped to serve the hospital from the dam which is nearing completion and can supply two million litres of water per day, with additional storage of 1.4 million-litres capacity in the overhead tank.
A water heater has also been completed to ensure that the hospital functions at optimum capacity. For now, there are four functional boreholes for use at the hospital.
On community health service, Professor Sijuwola disclosed that three health care centres had been established to cater for primary health needs of the people.
Corroborating this, Head of the Department of Community Health Medicine, Dr. (Mrs) Olugbenga Bello Adenike said each of the three health centres located at Kajola, Kotangua and Jabata has catchment areas covering no fewer than twenty-two [22] villages of over 10,000 population.
Dr. Bello stated that the Kajola health centre had been upgraded to a comprehensive health facility, with intensive health education, screening of residents of neighbouring villages and hamlets for hypertension, diabetes and malnutrition.
According to her, ‘’we also embarked on home visitations in order really ensure that the people adequately benefitted from the community health medicine. We also observed that most problems that brought patients to the hospital has environmental components, hence our determination to provide the needed assistance to guarantee disease-free and hygienic society’’.
On the ownership of the institution and staff welfare, the CMD cleared the air that the teaching hospital is no longer jointly owned by Oyo and Osun State Governments, but now wholly controlled by the Oyo State Government.
While commending the entire staff for their sacrifice and steadfastness, Sijuwola asserted that in spite of all odds the teaching hospital got accredited within one year, including its post-graduate programme.
‘’Welfare of staff will continue to be accorded utmost attention not only by the hospital management but the owner state government. Diligence, perseverance and sacrifice of the entire workforce, including the medical personnel are highly appreciated. The teaching hospital has come to stay and your continued support coupled with concerted efforts of the management will ensure unhindered accomplishment of the state government in transforming the institution to an enviable status.’’
On the hospital’s annex in Oyo town, Sijuwola hinted that both the management and state government teams had visited the site for thorough inspection with a view to facilitate its completion.
According to him, ‘’unknown to the people, the state government had not abandoned the annex. Most of the facilities and equipment needed at the annex had been supplied by the contractors. The materials were kept here in Ogbomoso pending the full completion of the annex.
