COVID-19: Experts laud LASG for setting up sample collection stations
Stations
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, April 21, 2020 (NAN) Some operators in the health sector have commended the Lagos State Government for setting up sample collection stations in 20 local government areas of the state to aid the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The operators spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
NAN recalls that the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, had on Sunday announced that government had set up sampling stations in 20 LGAs where citizens that fit the case definition of COVID-19 could visit to drop samples for testing.
Abayomi said the strategy was geared toward bringing COVID-19 testing opportunity closer to people, thereby taking work strain off health workers that visited several local government areas for case search and sample collection.
Speaking, a Medical Imaging Scientist, Dr Livinus Abonyi, described setting up of multiple sample collection stations as a “good step in the right direction”.
According to him, it would provide opportunity for many to know their COVID-19 status.
Abonyi, also a lecturer, Department of Medical Radiography, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos College of Medicine, said the strategy would enhance chances of further increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state.
“The truth is that the more the sampling stations are opened, the more people will be tested and the more positive cases will be detected,” the expert said.
He, therefore, advised the state government to commensurate the laudable gesture by equally improving and establishing corresponding multiple testing and treatment centres.
“Bringing medical care closer to the people is key in the management of any health issue, particularly the Coronavirus disease, because early intervention increases the chance of survival.
“Therefore, the state government, as a matter of importance, should intensify effort to equally establish at least one testing and treatment centre in each of the local government areas,” Abonyi said.
The scientist, however, called for strict enforcement of the lockdown order, saying that it remained the major way the country could curb spread of the Coronavirus disease.
“To the best of my knowledge, the ‘lockdown is a clear invitation to cure’ so long as FCT and Lagos State that have higher number of confirmed cases are concerned.
“Currently, FCT and Lagos are time bombs waiting to explode; and if the lockdown is removed, Nigeria may join other countries to be counting hundreds of deaths per day.
“I will suggest that the lockdown should be fully enforced to the letter, and if possible be extended until the situation comes under control,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Omogbohun Patrick, the Medical Director, MercyWay Medical Centre, Ejigbo in Lagos, said the idea was a welcomed development that needed to be accomplished.
Patrick advised that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other responsible health workers should intensify efforts in tracing every contact person to any confirmed COVID-19 case.
According to him, Nigerians should not yet relax; optimum social distancing, proper hygiene and usage of facemask should be adequately maintained by the populace until the country conquers the fight against COVID-19 outbreak.
“As the number of confirmed cases is increasing, efforts should be made to ensure everyone that came in contact with the infected person is traced, collected and quarantined,” Patrick said. (NAN)
LUC/CHOM/GOK
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Olagoke Olatoye