The Lumine News

Tag: #UCTH

  • Covid-19: Cross River State Records 5 Cases

    Covid-19: Cross River State Records 5 Cases

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC had uploaded the controversial 5 cases of covid 19 positive cases in the state as was reported by the management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

    This development must have settled the altercation between the Cross River State government and UCTH management as well as clear the doubt about the actual state of things in the state.

    The altercation which also had the Nigerian Medical Association being at war of words with the state government, had led to NMA withdrawing from public service in the state and requested NCDC to offer explanation as to why it refused to upload the result sent from UCTH.

    With this upload, one could be believe that UCTH, NMA and other professional medical bodies in the state has won in what many had described as a propaganda to discredit the efforts made by the Cross River State Government in the fight against Covid 19.

  • C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    Source: Paradise News

    The Cross River Government has countered the position of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital on the presence of Coronavirus disease in the state.

    An internal memo signed by the Chief Medical Director of the tertiary health facility, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, on Thursday, had advised staff and patients to observe caution after a patient recently tested positive to Covid-19, using the rapid test method.

    But in a swift reaction, the state government in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the State Covid-19 Taskforce, Dr Betta Edu, said the methodology used in arriving at such conclusion was not reliable, adding that even the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned against depending only on the rapid test method to draw conclusion.

    According to the release, “It is important to state that an index COVID-19 case can only be confirmed with PCR and not the antibody Rapid Diagnostic test kits which the NCDC had said has very low sensitivity and specificity therefore should not be used for COVID 19 diagnosis.

    “As a state Government we have commenced investigation into this case and we will get back to the public with our findings. All efforts to identify and isolate suspected cases will be encouraged but we denounce any attempt to label CRS COVID-19 Positive using a rapid antibody testing methodology. For now Cross River State has no comfirmed case of COVID-19.

    “We use this opportunity to further call on the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to as a matter of urgency, support Cross River state in the fight against COVID-19.

    “We urge all Cross Riverians to remain calm and not panic, but simply step up efforts in adhering to all safety procedures in the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in the state.”

  • Covid 19: C’River Begins Training Of 400 Health Workers As Support Staff

    Covid 19: C’River Begins Training Of 400 Health Workers As Support Staff

    By Admin

    Cross River State COVID-19 Response team working with the Ministry of Health has commenced the training of 400 hundred health workers and other auxiliary staff like the sanitarian, ambulance drivers surveillance officers, etc.

    The training began with training of trainers for Infection Prevention and Control of the Corona Virus Global Pandemic has continued to gain more volunteers and commendation for the state Government.

    The training of trainers exercise which was held at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital conference hall, will ensure that the State is up to date with upgrade of its level of preparedness as we work to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. It will be recalled that the Cross River State Government has been collaborating with the UCTH to train health workers at a small scale but now the state has decided to train in large scale.

    Declaring the training open on Friday, Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Betta Edu, who is also the Cross River State COVID-19 Chairman restated government’s commitment to keep Cross River State COVID-19 free.

    She said the state most important priority is to prevent the disease, and maintained that state will continue to do everything within its might to improve the level of preparedness for the COVID -19 response in the state. The Commissioner reminded other participants that the state will be depending on them as trainers to equip others with the technical knowledge on how to handle the Infection Prevention and Control of this Virus.

    Edu addede that persons trained are expected to work at the three Isolation centers in the state with a 120 bed capacity put together. “Am so pleased with the large turnout of skilled professional volunteers. We are indeed together on this” she thanked The management of UCTH for all the support.

    The Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Professor Ikpeme Ikpeme, represented By the CMAC, commended the Governor, Senator Ben Ayade and the Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu for putting all efforts towards ensuring that the State continues to maintain her COVID-19 free status. He commended the government for it support to the institution, noting that the training will go along way to provide more skilled manpower for the response.

    The training will be done with twenty persons per each batch simultaneously at various venues in Calabar and Ogoja LGA.