(Lokoja)
In what looks like signalling a possible end to not-too smooth relationship between the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja and the Kogi state government, the state government says it has installed Biosafety cabinet at the hospital.
Duaglobalnews reports that Biosafety cabinets, also known as biological safety cabinets, are enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace areas, designed to protect the user and surrounding environment from pathogens and are used used in many laboratories and hospitals.
The Commissioner for Health Kogi State, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, disclosed this in a statement in Lokoja.
According to him, after initial wave of Coronavirus testing, the state government found it necessary to install such equipment, based on the professional advice by its laboratory scientist,for the safety of those who might have even tested negative for the novel virus.
Audu said: “Our duty is to protect the lives of everyone, including our Health workers, thus necessitating our temporary suspension of testing for 3days till the requested Biosafety cabinet was provided.
” We are happy to inform you that it has now been installed and testing will resume shortly.
“This is to call for calm and alley all fears that the public may have, for Kogi State remains committed to fighting, Covid-19, a global pandemic, irrespective of reservations we may have over its handling in Nigeria.
“It is also important that we dismiss the notion that we are not inclined toward testing for the virus. What then will be the use of procuring over 5,000 test kits worth several tens of million of naira?
” We have never been known in the past to be complacent with the life of our people and we will not be found wanting at such a critical time, this we can assure all Kogites.
“We also intend to call the ARD Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja to a meeting and discuss all their grievances.
” We have no reason to put their lives (or any other cadre of Health Workers) at risk while they help save lives in this trying time, more so that I consider them as colleagues.
“The State Government (within the limits of the available resources) has been supplying PPE and other materials to FMCL and we have also mounted an Isolation tent for the Hospital.
” We have a robust relationship with the Management of this great Health Institution and we intend to sustain the cooperation and collaboration.
“The Administration of His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello has always treated FMCL like a state-owned facility, we are convinced that all differences will be resolved in no time for the good of the people of Kogi State.
“The public should be rest assured that His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State will continue to place Health as a priority.
” Despite the pandemic and dwindling fortunes of all States in the Country, construction and equipping of Health facilities, worth billions of naira are ongoing across the state in the three Senatorial Districts.
“This is a pointer to the fact that we intend to revamp the Health sector. Everyone can attest to the fact that the rot in the Health sector has been exposed by Coronavirus across the country. It is therefore our resolve to make sure that eventually, people will have access to quality and affordable health care services that they can be proud of.”
Duaglobalnews reports that the past few weeks has not seen smooth relationship between the hospital and the state government, particularly in respect to the controversy generated by Coronavirus in the state.
While the state insists that there is no cases of Coronavirus in the state, the hospital management believes otherwise.
This difference in the perception of the virus by the two parties led to frosty relationship between them, leading to the state government setting up its Coronavirus testing centre.
As at the time of this report, the hospital was under lock and key, sequel to indefinite strike embarked upon by all categories of workers of the hospital
The workers said they took the decision to down tools, following the level of destruction at the hospital, carried out by some youths who stormed the hospital with dangerous tools, allegedly to stop the proposed press conference by the management of the hospital over Coronavirus.
The press conference, Duaglobalnews gathered, was to enable the workers air their views on Coronavirus, the need for provision of adequate quantity of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among other sundry health issues argitating their minds.
Some concerned members of the public who spoke with the online publication in Lokoja, described the action of the state government as a sign of good omen, which if enhanced, would restore the normal relationship between the two parties.
They, however, stressed the need for the parties to reach a compromise on the issues that led to the strike so that the hospital can be reopened for normal services.
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