COVID-19: Gov Fintiri Flags-off Distribution of PPEs, Others To Over 403 Health Facilities in Adamawa

By Barnabas Augustine 

5/8/2020

 

 

In an effort the contain and prevent the spread of coronavirus in Adamawa, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has flagged of distribution of handwashing, hygiene, Personal Protection Equipment and Essential Supplies to over four-hundred and three health facilities and health institutions in the state.

The items were provided by Adamawa State Development partners in fighting diseases in collaboration with the State Government.

 

 

 

Flagging off the distribution Wednesday at the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, ADSPHCDA at Kofare in the state capital, the Governor said the supplies will ensure safe spaces in Health facilities for health care workers and their patients.

 

 

 

While commending the effort of WHO,  UNICEF, all US Government-funded projects, JHPIEGO, Plan International, Nigeria LNG Limited,  Procter & Gamble, Vitamin Angels among others for complementing the effort of the State Ministry of Health and State COVID-19 Containment Committee, Governor Fintiri stressed that together they are "strengthening a network of health facilities across the State to raise the capacity for immediate case management of COVID-19 suspects to prevent community spread in locations outside of our Urban Centres".

 

 

Governor Fintiri revealed his administration's process of rehabilitation of health facilities and recruitment of more technical workers. 

 

 

"My administration has begun the process of rehabilitating many Primary Health Care Facilities, Hospitals, and have approved the recruitment of more technical workers by the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ADSPHCDA) who will be deployed to provide essential Health Services in these facilities", Governor Fintiri said.

 

"This will follow by the construction of five (5) new Cottage Hospitals in five (5) Local Government Areas where they are presently lacking.

 

 

"In addition, teams have been dispatched to all 21 Local Government Areas to re-assess the readiness of our Primary Health Care Facilities for the smooth implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCCPF) initiative in Adamawa State, and develop the requirements strategic plans for the same".

 

 

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri urged all Local Government Chairmen, Partners and all stakeholders to provide at least one functional Primary Health Care facility per ward; with capacity 24-hour service, seven days a week while noting global donor fatigue due to consequences of COVID-19.He however assured the state his administration's commitment to reposition the health sector and urged the people of the state to continue to adhere to all recommended public health protocols and safety measures.

 

 

 

In his remark, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Abdullahi Isa said the items provided came at appropriate time, when case of COVID-19 surge in the state with one hundred and seventy six confirmed cases so far recorded.

 

 

 

The Commissioner disclosed high cases of community transmission of coronavirus in urban areas: with Yola North having the highest-87 cases, Yola South recorded 47 cases and Girie has fifteen cases while calling on the development partners to not relent in their effort to help Adamawa fight the pandemic.

 

 

 

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Suleiman Saidu Bashir said his Agency swung into action as directed by Governor Fintiri, mobilized development partners: those currently in the state and new ones to help the state's health sector fight the pandemic and other diseases that can be prevented by vaccine or immunization.

 

 

 

He revealed that the items were provided in response to the threat pose by Covid-19 in the state.  The items distributed include Foot operated hand washing stations, wheelchairs, non contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, ventilators, sphygmomanometer, blood pressure monitors, and privacy screens.