The Anambra Government on Tuesday urged residents in the state to go for voluntary tests for the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure an early detection of the disease.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Don Adinuba, gave the advice in a statement released in Awka.
Adinuba expressed the government’s readiness for aggressive testing of people for COVID-19, for an early detection and prompt medical care.
He said that this is what led to the inauguration of the mega laboratory at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital at Amaku in Awka.
He described it as the only laboratory centre in the south-east, capable of testing up to 470 samples daily.
The commissioner noted that the governmnet was mobilising more people to be intensely willing to submit themselves for the test for COVID-19 virus.
He assured them that testing positive for Coronavirus pandemic is not a death sentence or a shameful diesase.
“We are also intensifying our community search, following Gov. Willie Obiano’s establishment of COVID-19 Task Forces in the 21 local government areas and also in all the 326 wards in the state.”
Adinuba said that the government was training persons that would be collecting samples from suspected patients in all parts of the state.
He said such people would be expected to send samples collected to the state’s teaching hospital in Awka for testing.
He noted that the government’s primary aim for the intensified testing was for an early detection of infections, to ensure a high chance for successful management.
“Contrary to the thinking of a couple of people, COVID-19 is far from being a death sentence.
“In fact, we have not lost even a patient, whose status was reported early to any of our relevant ministries, departments, agencies, task forces or rapid response teams.
“All the victims were reported very late, in some cases when the persons had already passed on,” he said.
Adinuba said that early detections of COVID-19 attacks would enable doctors working in the government hospitals and other medical team members to treat the affected individuals in their homes.
“We have actually managed some cases at home successfully; home treatment is in accordance with the new protocols, in the fight against the pandemic.
“Therefore, any person whose case is not critical can be treated in his or her residence if the person so desires,” the commissioner said.
He noted that home treatment of COVID-19 is a good development.
He explained that one major reason why many people had all along refused to be tested for the disease was the fear of being sent to the isolation centres.
“The expression, ‘isolation centre’, is capable of depressing or demoralising patients and consequently worsen their illnesses or conditions,” the commissioner said.
Adinuba reminded the people that the treatment for coronavirus pandemic was free.
He noted that the government had engaged religious leaders, traditional rulers, transport operators, hoteliers, market leaders and the civil society organisations leaders, to get their people to embrace testing for COVID-19 in large numbers.
“An early detection will save infected people the agony of having to use oxygen masks or ventilators to get treated for COVID-19.
“No one who has ever experienced oxygen mask or ventilator can wish another person to have a similar experience,” Adinuba said.
