Obiano inuagurates isolation centre

TRACKING___Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano has commissioned a 50-bed isolation centre at the General hospital, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said the facility, powered by Fidelity Bank Plc, was to ensure adequate attention were given to Covid-19 patients.

He said although the state prayed not to record more Covid-19 cases it was necessary the facility was put in place in readiness for any eventuality.

“We pray no more cases of Covid-19 will be recorded in the state. But we need to be ready for any eventuality so we won’t be stranded.

“If you observe, we now have such facility in all the zones in the state, we have in Onitsha, Nnewi, Amaku, Mbaukwu and now in Ekwulobia. We’re ready because of the capacity we’ve built.”

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala thanked the benefactor for the gesture, describing it as demonstration of the bank’s brotherliness and corporate neighbor to the state.

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“Having personnel and infrastructure is key, but people must keep maintaining the COVID-19 protocols, including wearing of face masks, washing of hands and social distancing to ensure our facilities are not overstretched,” he said.

On the deplorable condition of the road to the hospital, Okpala assured that the challenge would soon be history as the road had been awarded, promising soon commencement of work.

Regional Head, Fidelity Bank, Awka, Henry Asiegbu said the donation was part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility of giving back to the society.

“Fidelity has always partnered with the state government as the major bank in the state, we give back to the society as part of our corporate social responsibility,” he noted.
Doctor in charge of the Hospital, Dr. Arinze Ugochukwu, blamed the low patronage being experienced in the facility to the deplorable condition of the road leading to the hospital.

He said: “Patronage has not been encouraging, partly because the access road has been very bad for the past three to four years, as well as the community’s ignorance of the existence of the hospital in the area.

“We hope to increase awareness so members of the community will know that such facility exist and functioning with qualified personnel, not just for Covid-19, but for other health related cases.”