Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala has hailed Anambra State Government’s early proactive measures in containing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Dr Okpala made the commendation during an ABS Radio, Facebook live streaming programme with President of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Mr Samuel Egwuatu.
He noted that the state had before the index case recorded in the state had carried out massive sensitisation, awareness campaigns, trained stakeholders and relevant bodies on COVID-19 safety measures.
The commissioner urged the public to keep observing COVID-19 preventive measures installed in the state and to join in the fight against the pandemic.
Dr Okpala emphasised that the pandemic was still a global issue, which had yet to be defeated and as such all preventive guidelines by World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the State should be maintained.
He explained that the construction of standard Protective Care Centres in the state by Gov. Willie Obiano before the index case was recorded showed his commitment in the fight against the pandemic.
“Government constituted COVID-19 Committee members, Taskforce, Action team from markets, parks and communities even at the ward levels.
“All these were geared toward ensuring the containment and safety of our people; at level of the ministry, we continued to monitor compliance.
“We as well went round with a taskforce, including the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) to enforce safety measures and sensitise the people.
According to him, the state has two functional COVID-19 Testing Centres at Awka and Onitsha General Hospitals. People should avail themselves of this opportunity and go for testing.
Mr Egwuatu said that NYCN was collaborating with the state in the fight against the pandemic.
A caller, who identified himself as Mr Nnamdi from Nnobi informed the commissioner that some policemen were extorting N5, 000 from face mask violators.
Responding, the commissioner cautioned that the state government did not in any way mandate policemen to collect money.
“People should help us by reporting with evidence, those criminal elements sabotaging government’s genuine effort.
Mr Ifeanyi Onuchukwu from Ogboji commended the state Health Ministry for its efforts in fighting the pandemic.
Mr Kingsley Okeke, who followed the programme online from Germany applauded the state government’s proactive measures and urged Ndi Anambra to adhere to the safety protocols.
Mr Okeke noted that they also observe the same COVID-19 protocols in Germany.
