Abia State Government has inaugurated a committee to manage the prevention and preparation and handling of all issues reported in any part of the state regarding the outbreak of coronavirus in Nigeria.
The committee was inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Chris Ezem with the terms of reference to include launching preventive media campaigns, putting machinery in place to protect vulnerable groups such as school children.
It also includes identification and preparation of isolation centers in case of an outbreak in the state, procurement of test kits and drugs as well as coordination with state and federal agencies.
Other terms of reference for the committee includes mitigation plan to prevent the collapse of trade and commerce in the state in the unlikely event of an outbreak, defining a plan to protect public places including eateries, hotels, and restaurants.
The committee is also to liaise with medical institutions in the state and beyond to coordinate response and testing as well as advise the government on any other incidental step that is necessary to combat the disease in case it breaks out in the state.
The committee which is chaired by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji, has the commissioner for information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, his counterparts in Homeland Security, Prince Dan Okoli and Science and Technology, Chief Chijioke Madumere, who is the Secretary.
Speaking while inaugurating the committee, Ezem charged the members to ensure that no stone was left unturned to protect the people of the state and residents from the reported Coronavirus outbreak.
Ezem said that governor Okezie Ikpeazu prioritises the health and safety of the citizens above other considerations and assured that the government will provide necessary resources to support the committee in the discharge of its mandate without any hindrance.
Responding on behalf of the committee, the chairman, Dr Osuji, assured that the state ministry of health went to work early enough to put in place necessary preventive measures as well as establishment of response protocols in case of any outbreak in the state.
