Following the initiative of the Lagos State government to create more isolation centres as cases of the novel Coronavirus escalates in the state, preparations are ongoing at the Ikorodu General Hospital to provide space and equip healthcare workers ahead of the development.
Pharmanewsonline reports that with the latest update on COVID-19 in Nigeria as disclosed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, which stood at 81 confirmed cases as at Friday evening, with Lagos leading with the highest number of 52 patients, the proactive decision of the state is commendable.
In a chat with a staff of the secondary health facility who preferred to speak on the ground of anonymity, he disclosed that the hospital is preparing the male and the female wards for any spill over of confirmed COVID-19 cases from the Infectious Disease Hospital, IDH, Yaba, as directed by the governor.
He further noted that training of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other healthcare workers in the hospital will commence soonest by the Health Service Commission, in order to effectively build their capacity in dealing with the infectious disease patients.
According to our source who revealed that adequate preparation is going on to make provision for enough bed spaces in the facility, “We are no longer admitting patients in our male and female wards, as we attend to those already admitted to get better and be discharged”, he stated.
Although Ikorodu has not confirmed any case of the disease, he said, but as directed by the state government, movement of patients from the IDH, Yaba can be made across the five divisions of Lagos – beGbagada General Hospital, Badagry General Hospital, General Hospital Lagos Island, Ikorodu General Hospital and General Hospital Epe.
Our source also remarked on the latest partnership of the state government with the management of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) in setting up a new isolation and treatment centre at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium) as additional measure to handle the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
When our correspondent visited the Ikorodu General Hospital on Friday, it was observed that the facility was COVID-19 preventive compliant, as health workers were seen well-kitted with safety and protective apparatus, special tents created within the compound to allow patients practice social distancing while awaiting their consultation time, handwashing centres created at every points with running water and soap, while everyone was Coronavirus conscious.
It was learnt that sensitisation lectures are conducted daily to enlighten patients on the need to maintain personal hygiene, protect themselves when attending to any sick person in their neighbourhood, putting on of face masks and wearing of hand gloves, to prevent contacting the infection from any unconfirmed sources.
He said: “More importantly, we are using this medium to tell anyone without cogent reason for visiting the hospital to stay back, and use any other means available to them to pass their information, as this is a very risky period for anyone to come to the hospital without a germane issue for coming”.
He however explained that their emergency unit is still treating and admitting emergency cases irrespective of the Coronavirus isolation centre preparation.
Speaking with one of the patients named Titilayo Adedayo on the development, she expressed fears on the issue, saying if the plan really comes to fruition, patients will be scared of coming to seek care in the facility, as it will predispose them to the infection.
Her words: “We are pleading with government to find alternative locations for the creation of more isolation centres, as this plan to come over to Ikorodu may not favour we the patients”.
