COVID-19: Ogun Receives Medical Equipment Worth N67.8m From Corporate Organisation
By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Medical equipment worth N67.8 million have been donated to Ogun State government enhance the state’s medical capacities and capabilities in its fight against deadly coronavirus pandemic across the state.
The equipment were donated by Shell Nigeria Gas limited as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) to strengthen efforts of Ogun State in combating the spread of coronavirus disease.
The medical equipment include; 1 Mindray SV600 ventilator; 25 degree laboratory freezer; RNA extraction kits; 200 pieces of high-tech coverall-medical personal protective equipment; bouffant hair cover; single use apron; disposable linen; surgical face mask; KN95 mask with respiratory and hand sanitisers.
The state Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele while receiving the equipment on behalf of the state government disclosed that the management of COVID-19 has become a collective responsibility as government cannot do it alone, while she appreciated private sectors in the country for rising to the challenge.
She expressed: ’’In February when the index case was taken to Lagos for test, His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun at a meeting immediately directed that testing centres be established, and now the state can boast of it own testing centres in Sagamu and Abeokuta.
“We really did not see it coming this bad but his excellency had a foresight to start to look at this and the exemplary way which he manages the pandemic in the state has been lauded all across the country.
“The state government also realised that there was need for the state to work and develop its own capacity without relying on neighbouring states or wait for the Federal Government support in cushioning the effect of the pandemic in Ogun by setting up isolation centres and providing relief materials for the residents of the state.”
In their remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tayo Lawal said the statistics of the coronavirus cases were increasing on a daily basis and government alone cannot provide the wherewithal to manage the pandemic.
They hereby called on more organised private sectors to support and collaborate with the state government so as to collectively fight the disease.
Similarly, in his address, the Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, Mr. Ed Ubong represented by the Agbara/Otta Asset Manager, Engr. Simeon Eze, said that Shell remained committed to supporting the state government efforts in managing the pandemic, having recognised inadequate testing capability in the state and country at large.
Mr Ubong said the PCR machine and other extraction kits approved by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to deliver COVID-19 molecular screening tests will boost the state’s medical facilities as well as allow healthcare personnel and support staff do their jobs professionally and safely.
