The Ughelli North Local Government Council Primary Healthcare Authority has embarked on sensitization of private health practitioners operating in Ughelli and its environs as a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Speaking to participants, at the Ughelli North Council Hall, the Executive Secretary to the Primary Healthcare Authority, Dr. Johnson Uyovwiesepha, explained that the sensitization was on the instructions of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to train them on how to handle suspected Covid-19 cases.
“This meeting is prompted by directives from the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to enlighten you on Covid-19 and the steps to take where there is suspected case since you carry out treatment and administer drugs to patients in your various clinics”, he said.
Dr. Uyovwiesepha told them that medically, the Coronavirus had long been known to mankind, but had over the years mutated to a more dangerous form known as the Covid-19.
He noted that Covid-19 was very lethargic, had no cure and could cause reasonable damage to the lungs within a few days stressing that it is one of the viruses that is regarded as hemorrhagic diseases and that the Ughelli Central Hospital was a holding center for suspected Covid-19 cases.
He described the holding center as place where suspected cases were kept pending when their test results were released and positive cases would be referred to treatment centers in either the Warri Central Hospital, the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, and Federal Medical Center, Asaba.
He noted that since the holding center was created, no suspected case had been recorded.
The Executive Secretary said the state in collaboration with the local governments had set up a rapid response teams for contact tracing and monitoring of suspected cases.
Stating the rules that guide private healthcare practitioners on handling suspected Covid-19 cases, Dr Uyovwiesepha said that each of the private clinic or pharmaceutical stores must provide hand washing materials and sanitizer at the entrance of their clinics or stores.
He also said that they should have medical personnel at the reception with an infrared thermometer to separate those with high fever from others.
The executive secretary cautioned them against scary attitude before a suspected Covid-19 case, saying that the disease does not prevent them from taking patients history.
He said that health workers should always put on personal protective equipment (PPE), mop floors constantly and report any suspected COVID 19 case to the rapid response team for immediate action.
Dr. Uyovwiesepha, in a separate interview, however, state some of his challenges in contact tracing to include lack of vehicle for easy movement, inadequate personal protective equipment and shortage of manpower.
He appealed to the State Government and the Ughelli North Local Government Council to provide the necessary working equipment to fastrack the process of contact tracing in the local government.
The World Health Organization (WHO) state representative, Mr Jejiho Ogun in his remarks advised medical practitioners to eschew fear while handling suspected Covid-19 cases.
Mr Ogun said that fear made one to perform below expectations, explaining: “When you introduce fear into whatever you are doing, you cannot be focused or coordinated and that will affect your performance negatively.”
He also advised them to adhere to the guidelines given to protect them from contacting the virus.
