Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has disclosed efforts by his administration to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 in the State.
Ikpeazu said Abia State in the only one in the country with 16-Modular GenXpert equipment and highest testing capacity in the entire South East region.
The governor stated this during the unveiling of the Abia Care Center – a 50-Bed Isolation facility with Molecular Laboratory built and donated by an elite group called Concerned Abia Professionals. The facility is sited at the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, further disclosed that the government provided a total of 209 fully equipped bed spaces for isolation and treatment of CVID-19 patients in both Amachara, Umuahia and Aba, including a holding facility at Amachara while there is, at least, one sample collection centre in all 17 LGAs of the State with trained surveillance team.
He stated that at the two major testing centers located in both Umuahia and Aba, government deployed two units of 4 modular GenXpert and one PCR Machine in Umuahia and a 16-modular GenXpert equipment in Aba.
He commended the initiator of the Abia Care Center project, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, and her team, for the work they have done in establishing the project in the State, assuring them that the government will assist FMC Umuahia to ensure that the facility is put into good use.
Applauding private and public organizations that have supported the government in the fight against the virus, the governor also commended the frontline workers who made sacrifices to ensure that the people of the state were protected from the virus.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, while lauding the synergy between the Federal and State governments, Abians in the Diaspora and other professionals for coming together to support government through selfless services, thanked those that contributed to the success of the project along with the CMD of FMC Umuahia, Dr Onyebuchi Azubuike, for his efforts in making the new center a reality.
The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo, described the project as a reminder of the need for Abians to be patriotic and put the State firstt in whatever they do as well as be passionate about her development. They commended the commitment of members of Concerned Abia Professionals in delivering the project.
Also speaking, the Director General, Nigerian Center for Disease Control(NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said the successful commissioning of the new Abia Care Center for COVID-19 patients and those of other diseases exemplified the true spirit of Abians rallying round their State irrespective of political differences for the common good of the people.
The initiator of the Abia Care Center, Mrs. Ekeoma said she was led to undertake the project sited in FMC Umuahia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for Abians and all to give back to the society by being patriotic.
She expressed gratitude to all those that contributed to the success of the project, which she said will serve as a benchmark for the replication of more of such projects in the State.
Highlight of the occasion included the commissioning and signing of MOU between Concerned Abia Professionals and FMC Umuahia,