By: Oluwatosin Adesola
Over 400 health workers infected by Coronavirus pandemic in Ondo state have been successfully treated and now tested negative for the virus.
This is just as the Ondo State Government today distributed surgical face masks, N95 Respirator, Ondo State Fabric face mask and other Personal Protective Equipment to health workers in both public and private health facilities across the State.
Presenting the equipment to representatives of various health facilities, groups and sectors at the Central Medical Store in Akure, the Chairman of the State Interministerial Committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19), Prof. Adesegun Fatusi said the distribution is part of Government’s efforts to reduce the spread of Coronavirus in the State.
He added that it is a periodic activity carried out by the Interministerial Committee as part of measures of protecting health workers and patients from contracting the virus.
The chairman listed equipment distributed to both public and private health facilities in the State to include; scrubs, disposable gloves, surgical face masks, face shields, goggles, Biohazard bags, N95 respirators, heavy duty aprons, Personal protective equipment, Ondo State Fabric face masks, boots, hand sanitisers, hand wash, bottled water, soaps, disinfectants, antiseptic lotion, germicide, lifebuoy soap, and others.
Prof. Fatusi thanked the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Coalition against COVID-19 and other donors for supporting the Government in the fight against the pandemic.
The Don who described logistic supply to health facilities as bedrock to a viable health system, revealed that the focus of the government is to ensure health workers across the State work in a safe and serene environment, adding that the distribution will continue until the pandemic is over.
He however decried non adherence to precautionary measures against Coronavirus by some persons, describing such act as very disturbing and capable of frustrating collective efforts at controlling the spread of the virus.
The Don however reminded the people of the COVID-19 law in the State, stressing that those who contravene it would be prosecuted.
Also speaking, the Ag. Commissioner for Health and Special Assistant on Health, Hon. Jibayo Adeyeye represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Toyin Adeyalo-Ogundare noted that the distribution of the personal protective equipment to both public and private health facilities across the State would boost government’s efforts at combating Coronavirus.
He noted that it is also a fulfillment of government’s promise that health workers in the State would be adequately protected, maintaining that presently no health worker contracted the virus in the State, while about 400 health workers earlier infected have been successfully treated.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Pharm. Olukoju Aderemi and Pharm. Akintade Samson thanked the Government for the initiative, stating that it will go a long way to prevent health workers in the State from contracting the virus. They added that the equipment will keep them and their families safe during this period.