Kwara state Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Abdulrazaq has stressed the need for a collective effort’ approach to curb coronavirus pandemic
Dr Raji who stated this in Ilorin while giving his opening remarks at a one-day training on epidemic reporting held for Kwara-based journalists at the Kwara Hotel, Ilorin on Saturday, noted that the coronavirus pandemic though threw everybody off balance; leaders across the world will not watch helplessly and allow the disease to destroy humanity.
The theme of the seminar which was organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Kwara state Technical Committee on COVID-19 was ‘Enriching The Journalists’ Arsenal On COVID-19′ .
The Health Commissioner stressed that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is determined to do everything humanly possible to protect the lives and property of residents and citizens of the state added that blood samples of 128 individuals have been submitted for coronavirus tests so far and that while test results of 53 people are pending, 66 have tested negative as 9 people have however been confirmed positive while 2 patients have recovered and allowed to leave the isolation centre.
While urging the media to report responsibly and accurately in order not to spread misinformation or stoke fears and undue panic, he also noted that medical personnel and journalists have important roles to play in ending the coronavirus pandemic.
Also speaking, the state IPC Team Leader, Dr Ahmed Abu baker, asserted that if community spread of coronavirus pandemic does not eventually get recorded in the country, it will according to him be a result of people’s commitment to observe infection prevention measures and how they conducted themselves at public places.
Coronavirus is according to him not an airborne disease , it however respects no race, colour, social class or status.
He noted that getting infected is not a death sentence and that the people of the state should refrain from promoting coronavirus stigma.
While giving his remarks, the NCDC team leader, Dr Shuaib Sholagberu who asked the people of the state to observe all prevention tips also warned against assumption that the number of infected people in the state is less than ten and that there is thus, no cause for alarm.
‘It started like this in Italy, China and other places, we must therefore take it seriously and tackle it at embryonic stage’ he said.
Also speaking, the state NMA Chairman, Dr Kolade Sholagberu urged media practitioners to underreport any act of civil disobedience against anti-coronavirus measures announced by the government as such may according to him serve as encouragement to those reading such stories at other locations which may make them show interest to follow in their footsteps.
He warned that such a development will pose danger and health risks to all citizens as community spread of the disease may become inevitable
However, Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Abdulrazaq, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health , Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, the state IPC Team Leader, Dr Ahmed Abubakar , NCDC Team Leader, Dr Shuaib Belgore , state Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Kolade Sholagberu, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye and the governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Mr. Olayinka Fafoluyi were among government functionaries and officials at the event.
