Coronavirus: Gov Lalong orders for additional ventilators

As the fear of coronavirus pandemic grips the country, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has undertaken visits to three isolation centres in Plateau State and directed the acquisition of additional ventilators to complement the existing two at the Jos University Teaching Hospital in the event of any confirmed incident.

Even as the Governor warned that the Government will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody who violates the directives of Government aimed at protecting the citizens of the State from the dreaded disease.

The Governor Lalong while at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) where he was received by the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Edmund Banwat inspected the laboratory for the production of hand sanitizers at the hospital where he was told that they have the capacity to meet the demands of the State and beyond.

At the Isolation Unit, Professor Banwat told the governor that the facility has capacity for 20 patients at a time with room for expansion adding that the facility has only two respirators which were grossly inadequate.

Governor Lalong immediately directed the acquisition of 4 additional ventilators to increase the capacity of the facility.

At the Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos, the Chief Medical Director Prof. Eswin Isiegbe who said the centre has a capacity for 10 patients and in need of equipment and consumables such as ventilators, respirators appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the Teaching Hospital.

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In his response, Governor Lalong promised to provide 2 ventilators for the Isolation Centre and also assist the hospital build capacity for effective response.

Also at the Plateau Specialist Hospital Jos, Governor promised to address the problems of the hospital and immediately directed the purchase of 2 ventilators for the centre.

Speaking with newsmen after the inspection, Governor Lalong expressed satisfaction with the State of preparedness of the State to respond to the coronavirus disease.

He said “we thank God that so far, we do not have any confirmed case in Plateau State, yet we have to prepare ahead looking at what is happening in other states and outside the country. We shall do everything possible to ramp up our capacity to respond effectively as we did with Ebola and with Lassa fever which we have contained very well”.

The Governor, however, appealed to the citizens of Plateau State to cooperate with the directives of Government and relating to ban on large gatherings and closure of schools as well as personal hygiene and contact.

He warned that the Government will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody who violates the directives of Government aimed at protecting the citizens of the State from the dreaded disease.

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