A total of 15 positive cases from the 152 samples sent for COVID-19 tests have been recorded in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state.
The institution’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe dropped the hint after receiving the medical items including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and disposables by the professionals known as 100 Igbos USA Incorporated.
He further disclosed that a staff who recently contracted the virus is currently receiving treatment at the hospital’s isolation centre and would be soon discharged.
“Yes the most recent case we have is a cleaner in the hospital, who was admitted for COVID-19. The patient is responding very well to treatment and will soon be discharged.
Igwegbe recalled the challenge the institution encountered in running tests far away Irrua Specialist Hospital Center Edo State before the establishment of a testing center at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka.
“We now have reduced movement of samples and reduced time wasting. One can now get his or her test within 48 hours, and that helps in diagnosis and management of the cases.
“Lack of consumables and having isolation have also constituted our major problems. However, the donation from our brothers in the US will go a long way in solving the problem of consumables at the moment.
Speaking on behalf of President of the group, Mr Ejikeme Obasi, South East Regional COVID-19 Taskforce Chairman and facilitator of the donation from 100 Igbos USA Inc., Prof. Anyanwu said the items were for tertiary health institutions across the South East and Asaba Delta State.
“The group consisted of men and women of integrity, investing their time, talent and resources to provide assistance and support for Ndigbo and beyond,” he added.
Meanwhile, former CMD of NAUTH, and Immediate past Board Chairman of University Teaching Hospital UNTH, Enugu, Prof Okechukwu Mbonu and the Director of Institute of Oncology Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Anambra State, Prof. Stanley Anyanwu, had called for assistance to tertiary health institutions in South East zone to ameliorate the problems face by health providers in tackling COVID-19 pandemic.
The duo who expressed satisfaction with the donation of 100 Igbos USA Inc. however urged well meaning Igbo groups and individuals to emulate the USA and Canada based group in think home philosophy.
Prof. Mbonu who was the Chairman on the occasion for the distribution of the medical items to the tertiary health institutions, regretted the report in the social media and newspapers of patients abandonment or sent away from several facilities in the South East without attention on COVID-19 suspicion.
He therefore, called on all the health facilities in the South East to develop Standard Operating Procedures to ensure that patients are properly screened, and no patient is sent away without attention.
Prof. Anyanwu who is also the South East Regional COVID-19 Taskforce Chairman and facilitator of the donation from 100 Igbos USA Inc. earlier in an address read on behalf of President of the group, Mr Ejikeme Obasi, said the group was a partnership consisting of men and women of integrity, investing their time, talent and resources to provide impartial assistance and support for Ndigbo and beyond.
