Ogun state government solicits private sector support in fight against coronavirus
Yanju Uwala in Abeokuta
The Ogun State Government has called on the companies with large workforce to collaborate with the government in building of more isolation centres, and for management of coronavirus cases in the State.
Penpushing reports that the Commissioner of Health, Dr Tomi Coker, made this call when inspecting a 12-bed Isolation Centre at Flour Mills Nigeria Limited Factory in Obafemi- Owode Local Government area of the State.
The Commissioner, further said that the fight against coronavirus was a collective one, while also appreciating the private sector for displaying a high sense of responsibility since the outbreak of the virus.
Penpushing further reports that, Coker, said that the State Government is ready to collaborate companies with financial muscles to build isolation centres within the premises of existing government-owned health facilities, saying this would help in building the State’s health system.
“Our preference is for private companies to build isolation centers in existing facilities. As we speak, we have two companies that are working on building a couple of isolation centres in our hospitals’,Coker stated.
“This is our preferred option because it will ensure they have all the necessary supportive services and expertise to look after the patients. However, where this is not possible, a model such as this one in Flour Mills, is also acceptable”, she said.
Penpushing also reports that the Commissioner appreciated the management of Flour Mills’ for the initiative, adding that while the facility handles only cases with mild symptoms, those with moderate and high symptoms would be transferred to the isolation center at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.
The company’s Human Resources Manager, Mr. Wale Adediran, in his remarks said the donation was part of the plans to support both Ogun State and the Federal Governments in the fight against coronavirus, appreciating both the State Government and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) for providing the necessary advice in setting up the isolation center.
