Akwa Ibom governor Udom Emmanuel at the weekend inaugurated a 300 bed international infectious disease treatment center.
The center constructed within 30 days is situated in the premises of the Methodist General Hospital, Ituk Mbang, Uruan Local Government Area of the state.
It has a category 3 Virology and Clinical Lab capable of doing a wide range of blood fat and other tests for those who have core morbidities and polymerase chain reactions with PCR machines for testing COVID 19 and HIV as well as 20 self-contained rooms for health personnel and other workers.
Emmanuel while commissioning the project disclosed that 25 more containers of medical equipment acquired by his administration have arrived and would soon be deployed to health facilities in the state.
He said his administration decided to set up a PCR laboratory to handle covid 19 and other infectious diseases.
“We have acquired 25 additional containers of equipment to set up 2020 standard Intensive Care Units in health facilities across all senatorial districts.
“We have cleared all those equipment and they are at our warehouse. All general hospitals will be equipped to 2020 standard.
“The idea is that anywhere you are in Akwa Ibom State, you should be able to face access to 2020 medicare.
Emmanuel said ambulances have also been purchased, adding government would acquire many more to be placed at strategic locations to transport people to any general hospital so that we can be well assured of effective health care delivery.
He said the situation room set up to tackle COVID 19 will outlive the pandemic and will still be available for medical emergencies.
“Once you call any of our numbers, the ambulance should be able to take you to the nearest hospital or transport you from one facility to the other.”
Earlier, the Chief Supervisor of the project and State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, thanked the youths of Uruan LGA for the cooperation and support while the construction work lasted.
He specifically lauded the governor for his ingenuity, saying, with the opening of the isolation centre, the State was ready to deal with any emergency involving coronavirus and other infectious diseases.