Group Scores Delta State Low On Fight Against COVID-19

By Daniel Dafe

The Delta State CSO/Media COVID-19 Situation Room has said that the Delta State Government was yet to set-up structures and arrangements in place to appropriately deal with the Coronavirus pandemic currently ravaging the world.

In a press statement signed by Co-Chair,Bonny Akaeze; Co-Chair, Akpobome Rufus Ibebe; Joint Secretary, Joshua Ghereje; Joint Secretary, Emmaunel Agbubi; Spokesperson, Victor Ojei and Convener, Social Action Nigeria after meeting in Ughelli on the 4th of May, 2020, the group said that they came to this conclusion after a visit to isolation centres at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara Isolation and Treatment Centre, Warri Central Hospital Isolation and treatment Centre, Holding Centre at Mariere Memorial Hospital, Ughelli to ascertain the level of work done.
According to the group they also visited some inter-state borders, Asaba Head Bridge, Border with Anambra State; Patani Border with Bayelsa State and Ologbo Town, Border with Edo State, to see the level of migration into the state.

On observations made during the visits, the group members said in their statement: “At Warri Central Hospital, the state and standard of the facilities cannot handle an upsurge of COVID-19; Warri Central Hospital COVID- 19 medical personnel needs proper training, specifically on how to handle COVID-19 emergencies; there is no testing centre at Warri Central Hospitals; Federal Medical Centre, Asaba and Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, have a clearly established medical protocol in handling COVID-19 cases but at the Warri isolation centre it was not noticed.

“Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara and Warri Central Hospital Warri, Isolation and Treatment centres were all well barricaded. Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara isolation and treatment centre facility has a large capacity to handle COVID-19 cases and can be expanded.”
Furthermore, the press statement said: “The holding centre at Ughelli needs protective medical kits.”
Continuing, the Delta State CSO/Media COVID-19 Situation Room said there was no form of verification of persons at the border to ascertain those on essential duties at the border before allowing them into the state.
According to them, security agents and those testing for temperature at the borders are not properly kitted for their own safety and that of others, noting that they are overwhelmed by the large inflow of people and vehicle coming into the state.

“There is no emergency response plan in our borders to handle an emergency in COVID-19 cases. Publicity and sensitization on COVID-19 pandemic is still very low in the state.”
They urged the Okowa-led administration to establish a testing centre at the Warri Central Hopital, adding that this will allow for early detection and quick isolation of cases to avoid a repeat of recent incidents at the hospital.
“Medical personnel should be enlightened regularly on best practice of handling COVID-19 cases and protective medical kits provided for those in Ughelli holding centre. Approved protocols from NCDC for handling of COVID-19 cases from Holding centre, Isolation and Treatment centre should be strictly monitored and enforced in all Delta State COVID-19 centres.
“Life insurance should be provided for Covid-19 medical personnel,” they said.

Furthermore, they urged the state government to immediately order investigation into complains of harassment and intimidation of medical personnel by security agencies during the just concluded 4-week lockdown.
Speaking further, members of the group called on the state government to be open on funds appropriated and spent on the COVID-19 pandemic and make it public, adding that there also must be a clearly defined state government action plan on cushioning the effects of COVID-19 pandemic for those that have lost their sources of livelihood within the period.
Meanwhile, they said that there was no enforcement of social distancing as observed in most public places as some markets still operates at their full capacities.
Delta State CSO/Media COVID-19 Situation Room vowed to continue to engage the government constructively in other to ensure that the state is prepared for any emergency that could arise from the COVID-19 pandemic.