NNEWI – As part of its strategic efforts towards containing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH )management through the Taskforce on COVID-19 has mounted training and workshop on the prevention, control and case management of the pandemic for 400 selected members of staff.
The training which held from Monday 11th May to Friday 15th may, 2021 involved all cadres of staff starting from the doctors, nurses to the security officers, cleaners, porters, etc
Fielding questions from West African Pilot reporter, Dr. Ugboaja Joseph; who doubles as the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC )of the hospital and the chairman of the NAUTH Taskforce on Covid-19 explained that the rationale for the training is to equip the hospital staff with the current information and knowledge to enhance their capacity in containing the spread of COVID -19 infection.
He further mentioned that the training which was largely facilitated by the Covid-19 training committee led by Dr. Elo-Ilo JC in collaboration with the state epidemiology office, WHO, and NCDC covered aspects of Infection Prevention, Control and case management of Covid-19.
Dr. Ugboaja also explained that the Teaching Hospital has put in place an effective management structure and policy framework to ensure that any suspected case of Covid-19 is promptly identified at the various service points and professionally managed.
” As part of our response strategy, we have a 4-bedded isolation center manned by trained personnel; a Taskforce on Covid-19 which has many teams including the Rapid Response Team(RRT), Case Management Team, surveillance team, sensitization team as well as logistics and supplies team,” he said.
According to him, some of the challenges confronting the hospital include lack of materials needed in the war against Covid-19 especially the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and the reluctance of the people to follow the hospital’s laid down guidelines and policy for the prevention of Covid-19 especially the policy on the mandatory use of the face mask by both patients and staff of the hospital.
While thanking the CMD of the hospital, Prof Igwegbe AO for funding the training as well as other activities of the NAUTH Taskforce on Covid-19, Dr. Ugboaja called on the general public to abide by the government’s and healthcare workers’ advice and the directive on the containment of Covid-19 infection including staying at home, mandatory use of face masks, regular hand washing and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers as well as maintenance of physical distancing.
*Lili Bekee, is a reporter for The West African Pilot News
