The vice-presidential candidate of the PDP in the last presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, has frowned at the manner some people in Anambra handled the index case of COVID-19 in the state.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Awka on Sunday, he thanked St Joseph Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu, for being proactive, going by the measures they took in handling the case.
He, however, described the stigmatisation of the index case by the people through videos and publications in various media platforms, and the accompanying psychological trauma, as being against the basic principles in the collective fight against the pandemic.
Obi also noted with satisfaction the fact that St Joseph Hospital was among the over 400 facilities made available by the Catholic Church to the Federal Government of Nigeria to assist in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Obi also commended the Anambra State government for taking the index case to an isolation centre and for following up on the matter in line with prescribed practices.
He urged them to do whatever is necessary to ensure the speedy recovery of the patient.
Speaking further, Obi made a special appeal to the people, saying: “I urge all Anambrarians and Nigerians to know that the coronavirus illness is not sexually transmitted or a criminally-induced disease.
“It is beyond politics and should not be subjected to fake news. Those afflicted need love, care, understanding and above all, prayers to God to intervene in this scourge ravaging the world.”
Concluding, Obi who wished Nigerians Happy Easter, urged all those that had contact with the index case to present themselves for testing and or isolation as the case may be.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Buy and read digital replicas of your TRIBUNE titles by subscribing through E-VENDING
Man Who Tested Positive For Coronavirus Was 75-Year-Old Ex-Ambassador, Attended Wedding Ceremony Recently, Says Kano Governor
Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Saturday night disclosed that a 75-year-old retired civil servant and former ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria got infected with the coronavirus following result of a test that came out which proved positive… Read full story
Don’t Despair, Bishop Kukah Tells Nigerians In Easter Message
Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has called on Christians and non-Christians alike in the country not to consider this peculiar Easter celebration amidst the COVID-19 as a period to be in despair. Rather it is a time for people to look out for one another… Read full story
‘It’s Shameful The Church Was Shut Down Because Of COVID-19’
The church is made up of members of the community. The Church is not isolated, so we are very much involved, especially the shutdown order that was extended to the Church. In 1918, a similar incident also happened. That was the beginning of the persecution of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) during the influenza epidemic… Read full interview
I have it on record in my book, Warning to the Nations, 2016/2017 edition, on page 108 where I warned the global community that a contagious disease will occur. I said that we should pray so that a state of emergency in any country or at various states will not occur. Still from that page, I also warned that the world’s economy… Read full interview
COVID-19: Influenza Laboratory Of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, National Veterinary Research Institute Activated As Testing Centres
The influenza laboratory of Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano State and National Veterinary Research Institute, Plateau State have been activated as centres in Nigeria for testing for COVID-19. This brought the number of COVID-19 testing labs in Nigeria to 11… Read full article
Cry, The Beloved Yoruba
MR Segun Awolowo had died in a ghastly motor accident and it was the call of Mr Abraham Adesanya to break the news to the Leader, Oloye Obafemi Awolowo in his confinement. As Adesanya finished relaying the sad news, he expected Awo to go into mourning and shelve all other things… Read full article
Coronavirus Has Exposed Abysmal State Of Nigeria’s Health Sector —Professor Ozoilo, MDCAN President
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Wuhan, China towards the end of last year was unprecedented and took the medical community globally unawares. Despite the fact that the Chinese were able to contain it by March this year, it has spread globally and achieved the true status of a pandemic. It has brought devastation… Read full story
THE Senate president, Ahmed Lawan has said that Easter is more relevant now that makind is passing through one of the darkest times in history. Lawan, who stated this in his Easter message to Nigerians said ”I heartily felicitates with Nigerians, particularly Christians as we celebrate Easter… Read full story
and then