The Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has donated a 100-bed space isolation centre to the Ekiti State government as part of its contribution to the fight against coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The facility is located at the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The representative of CACOVID and manager, Access Bank in Ado-Ekiti, Mr Kayode Adejuyigbe, while speaking during the presentation of the facility on Thursday said the private sector deemed it fit to support the government in its battle against the pandemic hence the need for the provision of the well-equipped isolation centre to the state.
“It is common knowledge that cases of the virus have been reported among individuals across Nigeria and there is a high risk of the virus spreading through much of the population as has been repeatedly witnessed in other countries all over the world with the attendant socio-economic and healthcare disruptions. If we do not come together to fight for our nation, no one else will.
“Today, the fight for survival has become a necessity, and it is not just the responsibility of the government, it is our collective responsibility and we all must join the fight to stay alive. This is why CACOVID as part of its contribution is commissioning the Ekiti State isolation centre,” he said.
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Speaking, the Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, while commending the gesture by CACOVID to the state’s efforts in containing the spread of coronavirus in the state, noted that government alone cannot wage the war against the deadly virus,
Represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, the governor explained that the state had expanded its isolation centre from 10 beds space to 100 beds space to prepare for any eventual spike in the number of cases in the state.
He said: “I sincerely acknowledge and appreciate CACOVID for considering Ekiti State as one of the beneficiaries of their support with this wards and beds and equipment. The support to our isolation and treatment centre will strengthen not only our fight against the COVID-19 but will definitely boost the health care services in our dear state.
“It is a common knowledge that government alone cannot fight the battle of COVID-19. At a perilous time like this, all hands must be on deck to complement government’s efforts and I want to say that we need more support from corporate organisations and good spirited individuals to fight the dreadful virus.”
Fayemi called on the health officials and residents to make use of the facilities to serve the purpose for which it was built, saying, “the manner you handle it will determine its durability.”
While disclosing that the state has only two active cases of covid-19, the governor admonished residents to continue to adhere to all the directives as announced by the government in a bid to stop the spread of the virus in the state.