The Lumine News

Category: COVID-19

  • Covid 19: Nigerian Medical Association Kicks Against Trial Resumption Of Schools In Cross River

    Covid 19: Nigerian Medical Association Kicks Against Trial Resumption Of Schools In Cross River

    By Admin

    Arising from the Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the Nigerian Medical Association Cross River State held on June 10, 2020, Congress deliberated extensively on COVID-19 response in the State and the Cross River State Health Sector and came up with the following observations and recommendations.

    1) The declaration by the Cross River State Government on a trial resumption of three public schools in each of the three Senatorial Districts in the State to commence on June 16, 2020, is alarming.

    To the medical community, there is a lack of evidence to ascertain the actual COVID-19 status and disease burden in the State due to the unacceptably low number of tests carried out. The quick resumption of Schools, despite genuine reasons, has the potential of significant disease outbreak among students. The Association advocates for the adoption of educational technologies to provide remote learning opportunities and educational programmes for students in public schools in the interim which is currently being implemented by private schools until a national policy is introduced on the unified resumption of schools by the Federal Government.

    2) The gross under-testing for COVID-19 in Cross River State is a significant public health concern. The COVID-19 tests breakdown by States as at June 10, 2020, released by NCDC revealed Cross River State has carried out only nine (9) tests using the NCDC Molecular Laboratory. The Association continues to advocate for upscaling of COVID-19 testing in the State.

    3) The Association uses this medium to appeal to both the Federal and State Government to expedite plans for accreditation of Dr Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, Calabar a Bio-Safety Level Three (BSL-3) laboratory and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar as testing centres for COVID-19. Accreditation of these centres will not only upscale testing in the State but will also reduce the turn around time for COVID-19 tests.

    4) The increasing report of flu-like symptoms, respiratory symptoms and loss of smell/taste in various hospitals and the State metropolis is an indication of potential community transmission of an undetected disease fitting the epidemiologic pattern of COVID-19. Recent research published in Nature Medicine in the United Kingdom revealed: “loss of smell (anosmia) was a stronger predictor than a fever for COVID-19” prompting recommendations on self-isolation if detected. We call on the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 through the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), State Government and all Stakeholders to critically appraise the COVID-19 status of the State.

    5) The COVID-19 infection curve is still on the rise and yet to peak in the country. The lack of adherence to infection prevention strategies like social distancing, use of face mask, hand and respiratory hygiene at this crucial time is worrisome. We, therefore, call on all residents in Cross River State to sustain infection prevention measures.

    6) The production of Personal Protective Equipment (mask, face shield and gowns) by the garment factory of Cross River State is highly commendable. We advocate for quality control measures to validate their safety for use in hospital settings. We join the State Government to call on the Federal Government and the Private Sector to support this laudable project that has the potential of guaranteeing the availability of personal protective equipment in the country.

    7) The expeditious recruitment of Doctors and other health workers by the Cross River State Government through the Civil Service Commission with advert dated April 27, 2020, to meet the potential health challenges is desirable. The concomitant increase in health needs of the public in line with the lifting of bans on interstate movement and domestic flight shortly makes the recruitment imperative. We wish to reiterate the urgent implementation of 100% CONMESS and CONHESS as the only means of retaining this critical workforce in the State Civil Service.

    8) The Association and her members remain committed to working with the State Government and the Federal Government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Dr Agam Ayuk, Chairman

    Dr Ezoke Epoke, Secretary.

  • Covid 19: C’River Govt Receives Technical And Material Support From NPHCDA

    Covid 19: C’River Govt Receives Technical And Material Support From NPHCDA

    By Simon Ushie – Calabar

    As part of measures to improve quality and effective healthcare delivery for Cross Riverians, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), have donated some personal protective equipment and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to boost the fight against Covid-19 in the state.

    Presenting the materials to the agency, the state coordinator for the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Julius Idoko maintained that “the state’s effort in the fight against Covid-19 has gained a nationwide recognition and hence the need to support the state in training health workers to boost their capacity and enlighten them on best and globally accepted medical practices”

    Receiving the materials on behalf of the Government, the Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for assisting the state in the organization of various training workshops for staff in the state and in the provision of Information, Education and communication materials to enhance staff knowledge and their capacity to meet the health needs of Cross Riverians .

    Ekpenyong held that “On behalf of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, I am very thankful to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for this show of love especially this moment where the whole world is being faced with the pandemic that we are all struggling to understand and find a cure to it. These things that are provided will be used judiciously for the benefit of our people as we have set up a team to ensure that all wards and villages get a share of these materials as we seek to improve the health and wellbeing of our people.

    “Just recently, the NPHCDA assisted us in building the capacity of health workers through an online training section comprising of state, local Government and ward level staff in the agency.

    “The nation has seen the great efforts made so far by the Cross River State Government as Senator Professor Ben Ayade has been in the forefront in fighting the pandemic and that is why the NPHCDA is coming to support us today.

    “We will ensure that our health workers across the 196 wards are fully informed and trained and as well spread the information to the various communities where they work to ensure that Cross River State remain covid19 free”.

    The Director General further distributed the materials to various Local Government Heads and heads of facilities.

    Some of the materials given includes Veronica buckets, waste bins, training manuals for prevention and control of Covid-19, facemasks, thermometers and other Personal Protective Equipment.

    The presentation is coming on the hills of the recently conducted training for health workers across the state using the zoom application system, an innovation which has generated wide praise from all quotas across the state.

  • Covid 19: C’River Government Officials Lauds Omang Idiege Border Policing Strategy

    Covid 19: C’River Government Officials Lauds Omang Idiege Border Policing Strategy

    By Admin

    Some senior officials of the Cross River State Government have commended the Commissioner for Youths and Skills Acquisition, Hon. Signor Omang-Idiege for his continuous efforts in policing the Gakem-Benue border against Almajiris and other moving vehicles.

    The officials, who visited and spent a night with the Commissioner at the border in inspecting vehicles and other commuters, lauded his efforts in returning back over 11 trucks conveying Almajiris back to their destination.

    In their separate remakrs, they thanked Hon. Omang-Idiege for contributing his quota in keeping Cross River free from Covid-19.

    The government officials include, Engr. Clement Akwaji, Hon. Chris Oshen Ojugbo, S.A to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr Odido Moses Idagu, Hon. Kingsley Agabi, Mr Gabriel Ogabo, S.A Public Utilities and Comrade Peter Olofu, Bekwarra Youth President among others.

    It could be recalled that, this border point, being a major entry/exit point between the South and Northern states had witnessed influx of suspected Almajiris/Herdsmen who were all sent back recently.

    Responding, Hon. Signor Omang-Idiege thanked them for the solidarity and urged them to continue supporting the efforts of Gov. Ben Ayade in ensuring that Cross Rivers State remains COVID 19 Free.

  • Federal Government Hands Over Covid 19 Battle To States

    Federal Government Hands Over Covid 19 Battle To States

    The Nation News Paper

    The Federal Government has pushed the battle to contain Coronavirus to states and communities, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the pandemic, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said on Sunday.

    According to him, the Federal Government will henceforth only provide supervision and coordination.

    Mustapha, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), spoke on Sunday at the State House after members of the PTF briefed President Muhammadu Buhari and discussed their recommendations on the next phase of the battle.

    With him at the briefing were Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire; National Coordinator of the PTF Dr. Sani Aliyu; Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekwaezu, and Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola.

    Mustapha said: “The ownership of the next stage will be the responsibility of the states because we have gone into community transmission.

    ”Where are the communities? The communities are in the states. So, the ownership of the next stage will be the responsibility of the states, the local government, the traditional institutions, the religious leaders at the different levels of our communities, because that is where the problem is.

    ”Like we’ve kept saying, 20 local governments out of 774, account for 60 per cent of confirmed cases in Nigeria today. So where are these 20 local governments? They are in communities. It means we have reached the apex of community transmission and we must get the communities involved.

    ”So, the issues of places of worship, the issues of schools, the issues of some certain businesses that were not opened hitherto are part of the packages that we have looked at and we have made the appropriate recommendations, but you know that Mr President is the only one that can take decisions in respect of these.

    ”In the framework, the states are subnationals, they have their own responsibilities too, so it is in the exercise of those responsibilities that they had meetings with those religious bodies and agreed on the guidelines and protocols on how they can open up, but in the framework of the national response, we are taking that into consideration”, he said.

    According to him, Nigeria had reached the critical stage of community transmission, adding that communities were under the supervision of the council areas, under which structure the communities fall.

    He said there would also be the full involvement of traditional and religious institutions, adding that managing the health crisis at this point had melted down into the more complex community level.

    The PTF chairman said the advice on the reopening of the economy and worship centres had been delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari who will take the decision likely to be communicated to Nigerians today.

    ”That’s part of what we have considered in its totality. We would await Mr President’s decision on that, once I receive his approval, going forward, as to certain recommendations we have put in place, we will see how that happens.

    ”The issue of easing up, you know we are in the first phase, we had an extension of two weeks for the first phase, the next phase should be the second phase and along with that will come in with a lot of recommendations, which we expect Mr President to consider.

  • Covid 19 Has Provided The Opportunity For The Department Of Chemistry To Showcase Its Skills – Ejue

    Covid 19 Has Provided The Opportunity For The Department Of Chemistry To Showcase Its Skills – Ejue

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Provost of the College of Education Obudu Prof. Bassey Ejue has stated that Covid 19 has provided the opportunity for the department of Chemistry to live up to expectation and showcase its skills.

    Ejue stated this today, 1st June, 2020 when the Head of department of Chemistry, Dr. Simon Wada led other staff of the department to present alcoholic hand sanitizers produced by the department to the college management for use.

    His words “Covid 19 has presented the opportunity for Chemistry department to live up to the expectations and showcase its skills in line with the various practical experiment which is expected to prepare graduands to be self reliance.

    “When I assumed office, I had earlier charged the department to be innovative and come with measures that to help generate revenue for the college. This can equally help to write the name of the college in gold in the annals of history”

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on the departments of Chemistry and Home Economics to mass produce the alcoholic hand sanitizers and facemasks for the college and members of the society to mitigate the spread of covid 19.

    “Just as the federal government has directed that schools should prepare to resume, I want to urge all unions as well as the Student’s Union Government SUG, to lias with the department of Chemistry to mass produce hand sanitizers for use by your members. The production team have to be cost conscious so that the product can be affordable”

    Speaking Earlier, the Head of Department of Chemistry, Dr. Simon Wada stated that the department had to respond to the call and directives of the Federal Government that institutions should develop strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, as well as the initial challenge by the Provost of the Federal College of Education Obudu, Professor James Bassey Ejue, for the  department to fast-track research and provide a workable solution to stop the spread of the deadly virus in the college and its environs.

    Presenting the sanitizers to College Management on Monday, June1, 2020 at the Academic Boardroom, the HOD, Dr Wada eulogized the Provost and thanked him immensely for providing the Staff of the department of Chemistry the opportunity to show-case their skills and talent.

    Wada commended the resilience of his professional team for their diligence and contributions.

    On his part, Mr. Upel Ushie, a Chief Lecturer in the department formally handed over the sanitizers to the Provost and pledged the commitment of the department to the ideals of the college and to boost the internally generated revenue.

    Present at the brief event were all management staff, chairmen of COASU and SSUCOEN.

     

     

  • Eld-Al-Adha: Bepeh Felicitates C’River Muslim Brothers, Charges Them To Observe Covid 19 Precautionary Measures

    Eld-Al-Adha: Bepeh Felicitates C’River Muslim Brothers, Charges Them To Observe Covid 19 Precautionary Measures

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Director, Cross River Road Transport Service/State Commandant, Vehicle Inspection Officer, Sir (Engr) Paul Bepeh has felicitated with all Muslim brothers in the state as they celebrate this month Eld-al-Adha- festival.

    In a massage signed by Sir Paul Bepeh and made available to theluminenews charges
    all Muslim faithfuls to celebrate with care and safety especially in this period of corona virus pandemic.

    The release reads in parts “Although the state government may have lifted the ban on all religious gathering , there is need for each an everyone to observe all precautionary measures and adhere strictly the guidelines by the state government.

    “As a department, we would do the needful by monitoring and ensuring that all road users during and after the Eld-al-Adha- festival abide by the regulated rules of Covid 19.

    “Remember, Corona virus does not move from place to place, but through human beings.

    “Note that the carrying capacity still remain one person in front and two behind, we are watching”

  • Gov Ben Ayade Lifts Ban On Religious Worship

    Gov Ben Ayade Lifts Ban On Religious Worship

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has lifted the ban on religious worship in the state with effect from Sunday 24th May, 2020.

    In a release sighted by theluminenews and signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita indicates that all religious leaders must adhere to all the rules binding citizens during this period as the enforcement team will go round to check compliance.

    Recall that the Governor had through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita directed all religious worship be suspended in line with the measures to contain the ravaging pandemic, codenamed Covid 19.

    The release reads in parts “His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade KSJI, the Governor of Cross River State, is very grateful to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Christians of various denominations, and the entire Muslim community for their support and cooperation during the period of suspension of public worship in our state in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    “His Excellency acknowledges that the understanding and cooperation of religious leaders contributed immensely in keeping our State Coronavirus Free thus far.

    “However, conscious of the Spiritual Economy, and in response to appeals by religious leaders in our state, His Excellency has issued the following executive orders:

    “1. The order suspending public worship in the state, is hereby lifted with effect from Sunday May 24th. 2020.

    “2. Consequently, starting from Sunday, May 24, 2020, church services are permitted but should be limited to the sitting capacity of the Church. Same applies to the Mosques.

    “3. Use of nose mask is compulsory for all worshipers.

    “4. Churches and Mosques should provide buckets for hand washing, or sanitizers.

    “5. Churches and Mosques are advised to strickly keep to the above instructions. The enforcement team will still go around to check compliance”

  • Egbara Takes Covid 19 Palliatives/Relief Materials To Governor Ayade’s Home Town

    Egbara Takes Covid 19 Palliatives/Relief Materials To Governor Ayade’s Home Town

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    In furtherance to Governor Ben Ayade’s deliberate efforts to cushion the effects of social hardship faced by the vulnerable occasioned by the global pandemic, COVID-19, the Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare, Mrs. Blessing Egbara has extended the distribution of palliative and humanitarian services to the people of Obudu, Governor Ben Ayade’s home town.

    Egbara, while distributing the items to patients at the Sacred Heart Hospital Obududu held that “Prof. Ben Ayade’s administration is committed to making life bearable to the patients and other citizens during this hard period.

    “These relief materials are meant to assist you meet some of your daily basic needs. As your leader, the governor is sensitive to the plights of his people and will always do all within his power to ameliorate your sufferings”

    Egbara interact led with some of the patients as she encouraged them to trust God for their healing. She used the opportunity to enlighten the patients about the COVID-19 and the efforts,  His Excellency Prof Benedict Ayade is putting to ensure Cross River state remains Covid-19 free.

    The relief materials distributed to the patients includes; food items, Nose masks and hand Sanitizers.

    At  Angiaba/Begiaka communities of Obudu, Egbara also handed over Nose Masks, Hand Sanitizers and relief materials to the people.

    The Commissioner disclosed that the desire and vision of His Excellency the governor is to reach out to as many Communities in all the local Government Areas of the state as possible and that her Job is to ensure the items gets to these communities. Bedia is one of the communities in the state that the Commissioner visited and distributed the items.

    Responding on behalf of the Angiaba/Begiaka communities, His Royal Highness (HRH) Utsu Felix Ukwudare, commended the governor for his hard work and development of the state in general and the effort he has put to make Cross River State COVID-19 free.

    The royal father thanked the governor for the donation of the relief materials, nose masks and hand sanitizers to their communities and for educating the people about the global pandemic and how to live during this period.

    Utstu Ukwudare Praised His Excellency for the gesture and held that God truly sent Professor Ben Ayade to protect Cross Riverians and pledged his support and loyalty to the Governor and bless him as he pilot the affairs of the state.

  • Cross River State Deserves Some Accolades In The Fight Against Covid-19 – Olowu

    Cross River State Deserves Some Accolades In The Fight Against Covid-19 – Olowu

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The leader of a seven man delegation of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control NCDC, to Cross River State, Dr Omobolanle Olowu has stated that the state deserves some commendation in its proactive measures to fight Covid-19.

    Olowu stated this at the office of the Commissioner for Health who is also the Task Force Chairman on Covid-19, in Calabar today as part of its efforts to support state governments in the fight against the pandemic.

    Olowu however raised concerns of their initial fears that her delegation would be quarantined as earlier announced by the state government.

    The team lead commended the proactive initiative of the state to commence the fight against Covid-19 pandemic even when Nigeria had not recorded any incident.

    Her words, “Cross River deserves some accolades for the job they have done so far. The preventive measures, the production of nose masks and other proactive measures which they deployed, we really commend them.

    “We had the fear of being quarantined but all that is over now as nothing like that happened, we want to believe the measured put in place by the state has made the status (COVID-19) free.

    “There was a lot of anxiety before coming to Cross River, but I am glad we were given a warm reception.

    “We are surprised at the level of work that has been put in place so far, all the people we saw were all on nose masks with different teams at various points in the state”

    On her part, the state Task Force Chairman and Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, maintained that “It should be noted that Cross River was the first state to start the no mask, no movement policy, we blocked all borders too, very early and we were carrying out drills twice a day and later reduced it to once a day as part of proactive measures.

    “We want to make it known that we are not at loggerhead with the Federal government or NCDC, we are just protecting the interest of Cross Riverians.

    “We are partnering with UCTH and all medical and para-medical associations including Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Medical Laboratory laboratory Scientists, nurses and pharmacists in the area of training and retraining for efficiency and quality service delivery as it concerns COVID-19”

    The team however still maintained the earlier position of Cross River State being Covid-19 free.

  • NCDC Meets With C’River Covid 19 Team In Calabar

    NCDC Meets With C’River Covid 19 Team In Calabar

    The Nigerian Center for Disease Control NCDC is currently in a meeting with the Cross State Covid 19 Task Force Team.

    The meeting which is held at the conference room of the Ministry of Health Headquarters, Calabar has in attendance members of the taskforce which I headed by its Chairman, Dr. Betta Edu and Commissioner for Health.