By GRACE AUDU, Abuja –
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will receive a boost in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic when the 70-bed Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) hospital at Utako District of the City, currently under renovation is completed and put to use.
FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, made known when the led a delegation from the FCTA on a courtesy visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari at the Corporation’s Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The FCT Minister, in his remarks also acknowledged and thanked the NNPC and the entire oil and gas industry for their support to the FCT in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He equally acknowledged the positive role the NNPC has played in the development of the city over the years and the Corporation’s plans to develop a world class medical facility in the Territory.
Towards meeting this objective, Malam Bello revealed that the Corporation has been allocated a piece of land at the proposed Abuja Medical City Development Project located at the Phase 2 development area of the city for the construction of the medical facility in conjunction with its partners in the oil and gas industry.
Malam Bello said that on completion, the medical facility will also serve as a development catalyst for the area just as the NNPC Towers has attracted development to the Abuja City Center after its construction over 20 years ago.
In the Minister’s words, “when reputable organisations like the NNPC and associations in the oil and gas industry set up a project, it will serve as a magnet that will attract other investments and we will all be the better for it”
Malam Bello also revealed that an international financial multilateral organisation of which the Federal Government is a shareholder along with 26 other African countries has also been allocated a plot for the construction of a center of excellence for the provision of medical services also at the Abuja Medical City Development Project.
The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malm Mele Kyari who led the FCT delegation on a tour of the 70 bed hospital which includes 10 Intensive Care Units, commended the FCT Administration for its efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in the Territory saying that the medical personnel of the FCTA, despite the challenges posed by the Coronavirus always responded promptly and professionally whenever their services were required.
Malam Kyari also used the occasion to reveal that the NNPC had plans to construct a world class international convention center in the city saying that the existing ones were inadequate.
On the entourage of the FCT Minister were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Borno, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin and other senior staff of the FCT Administration.
…No shortage of PPEs in FCTA health facilities
In a related development, the Health and Human Services Secretariat has noted with concern a report in the media alleging to a shortage in Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), in FCTA health facilities.
Acting Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr. Mohammed Kawu who denied the report on Friday, noted that the FCTA had provided adequate PPEs, which in turn had been made available to all its health facilities both at the primary and secondary levels.
“The Secretariat has also put measures in place to ensure that the PPEs provided are being utilized by the health workers as its priority is the safety and security of all its health workers,” Kawu said in a statement.
He therefore assured all health workers that the FCTA would continue to look out for their safety and ensure their security, both of which are key issues in winning the fight against COVID 19.
“To this effect, the FCTA has procured a large quantity of PPEs while order has been given for a large supply, coupled with the reception of an appreciative quantity of donations from well-meaning individuals and organisations,” he said.
Kawu explained that while PPEs and other health consumables had been disbursed directly to FCTA General Hospitals, “a large quantity of the PPEs were handed over to the FCT Primary Healthcare Board for supply to the area councils and onward distribution to primary healthcare facilities, especially the high volume facilities.”
“Acknowledgement receipts have also been received from the Area Councils, indicating that the PPEs got to the health workers,” he added.
He further said that to overcome the challenge of testing for COVID 19 (Which is not exclusive to FCT as the whole country is affected), the Secretariat increased its sample collection team to 48 across the FCT as well as opened a sample collection centre at the Exhibition Centre, opposite Radio House.
“This has greatly increased sample collection and coverage area,” he said.
“Similarly, with the donation of a 54 gene mobile Laboratory at ThisDay Dome, which serves as a testing, isolation and treatment centre, FCT now has two testing centres. This has greatly increased testing capacity in the FCT.
“So far, a total of 6132 persons have been tested in the FCT,” Dr. Kawu said.
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