Our attention was called to a story about 'Yar Gaya Isolation Centre, in Kano, that was (mis)used on social media platforms, which tries to bring to the fore, according to the story, government's 'inability' to be well prepared about the Centre.
The story says, and I quote "Contrary to the statements being made by the Kano state government on preparedness to contain the outbreak of novel coronavirus, the state is operating a dilapidated and only isolation center, PRIME TIME NEWS’ investigation has revealed."
It continues that, "The state government has expressed its preparedness to fight the dreaded disease in the event it hit the state, but, checks by this newspaper revealed otherwise as there is only one isolation centre for the over 15 million people of the state."
For putting the record straight, 'YAR GAYA ISOLATION CENTRE IS NOT THE ONLY ISOLATION CENTRE IN THE STATE, AS THIS MEDIUM POSTULATES. KWANAR DAWAKI DIAGNOSIS CENTRE AND AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL ARE ALL PART OF THE ISOLATION CENTRES IN THE STATE.
The said medium further indicates that, "Located at Yargaya village in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of the state, the Treatment Center lacks necessary equipment and structure to treat patients who contracted coronavirus.
However, a visit to the centre by a team of journalists on Wednesday to confirm the level of preparedness of the government, our correspondent observed that there are only 8 rooms, equipped with 4 beds only, making the total of 32 beds to cater for the millions of people in the state."
Above statements from that platform, were among other reasons why Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje promised to upgrade the Centre, in case of any eventuality, that was (is) not wished.
The upgrade of 'Yar Gaya consists of upgrade in starting, in training and re-training of staff on how to best handle patients and then upgrade in equipments. This also includes the infrastructural upgrade.
It may interest my readers to know that, it was this particular 'Yar Gaya Isolation Centre that was actively used during the Lassa Fever crisis. In fact patients were referred to the Centre from Jigawa and Zamfara states.
Up to the time of writing those statements credited to such social media platforms, nobody, had said officially that the Centre was upgraded, that was just three days after governor Ganduje made those statements of the administration's readiness to upgrade it.
My press statement issued on 20th of this same Month of March, was the first official statement that captured governor's resolve to upgrade the Centre. I quote the Press Statement which says,
"Meanwhile during the inspection of the Kano Isolation Centre, Ganduje promised to upgrade the Centre, that took care of the suspected Lassa Fever cases few weeks back and prepared for any unwanting Corona Virus suspected case(s) that might crop up.
The Centre is situated at Yar Gaya, few kilometres away from Kano metropolis, in Dawakin Kudu local government. He inspected the facility and was briefed about the facility by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa.
He said "This Centre will be upgraded and will have more equipments that are of global standard. There is no mincing words in this."
He made the statement immediately after he came back from Abuja. That very day he inspected screening facilities at Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), he went to 'Yar Gaya Isolation Centre and inspected it. That same day, he inaugurated the State Task Force on COVID-19. Show of commitment.
The full Press Statement that I issued that same day is attached below for my readers' perusal as well as putting records straight, to avoid similar misrepresentation of fact as brought to limelight and amplified by some social media platforms. Some could be out of desire and interest to help fight the fear and spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Which we commend.
The gap that could be created before the proper and complete upgrade, which occurs only after detailed assessment of the facility was done, governor Ganduje alongside other stakeholders thought of the use of Kwanar Dawaki Diagnosis Centre and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) to also be part of the Isolation Centres in the state. This puts Isolation Centres in Kano to be THREE NOT ONE AS PAINTED BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA.
See my full Press Statement issued on 20th March, 2020, which first revealed that the state government would upgrade 'Yar Gaya Isolation Centre. And up to the time of writing this small piece, there has not been any official statement from any quarter which says the Centre has been upgraded within those few days of assessment and design period, two or three days.
Read below:
Press Statement
Covid 19 : Gov. Ganduje Inaugurates State Task Force
- To Upgrade Isolation Centre's structure, equipments
- Inspects Centre, Airport Screening Facilities
For the purpose of redoubling efforts towards proactive response to COVID-19 in Kano state, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has, few days after raising COVID-19 Response Committee, inaugurated State Task Force on COVID-19. A strategy that institutionalises rapid response against the current global situation.
The Inauguration took place at Ante-Chamber, Government House, Kano, Friday, which attracted many scholars and health experts from Bayero University, Kano and other health institutions, alongside development partners.
Describing the Task Force as an all-important body, he said it would pave way for the consolidation of the designed response in the state, assuring that the state government would do everything possible to support the Task Force for effective and efficient intervention.
As Terms of Reference the Committee would "Assess the present situation and the risk of COVID-19 in Kano state, coordinate the response of the state to the threat posed by it, through multi-disciplinary approach and inter-sectoral collaboration and to also advise the government on necessary steps and decisions that should be taken to convert the threat of COVID-19," he discloses.
Other Terms according to the governor include "Weekly briefing of His Excellency, the Executive Governor and the State Executive Council on the situation on ground, coordinate resource mobilisation for its unwanting outbreak, May Allah forbid, liaise with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies at national and sub-national levels on response to the pandemic problem, among others."
Deputy Governor Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna is the Chairman of the Task Force, Co-Chaired by Prof. Abdul-Razaq Garba Habib, Head of Infectious Disease Unit, from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University, Kano, while the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, is a member and Dr Imam Wada Bello, Director Public Health and Disease Control, will serve as the Secretary of the Task Force.
Other members of the committee are Prof. Isa Sadiq Abubakar from BUK, Dr Amina Abdullahi Ganduje, from BUK, Dr Shehu Abdullahi, Director Medical Services, State Ministry of Health, Dr Bashir Abba, State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Shamsuddeen Sani, from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Maulid Warfa, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Dr Mustapha Tukur, State Lead, CDC/NSTOP among others.
The Committee consists of representatives of all the security agencies, representative of the Emirate Council, Alhaji Wada Aliyu Gaya, District Head of Ajingi and other relevant stakeholders, amongst whom was the Secretary of the Red Cross and Director Information from the state Ministry of Information, Inuwa Idris Yakasai.
At an interactive session held with journalists prior to the inauguration of the Task Force, governor Ganduje reveals that the state government would work hand in hand with relevant agencies, organisations and individuals in making sure that, the proactive measures taken by his administration succeed.
"I would want use this opportunity to thank Zenith Bank, that comes to us without being approached, and assured that they would give their assistance towards effective response to the situation. We shall approach other private organisations and individuals," Ganduje reveals.
All in an effort to further strengthen the proactive measures, he discloses that, the state would use all the major entry points of the state, to have screening points there. Emphasising that "Just recently we completed security points through the major entry points to our dear state.
Since we are also going to partner with security agencies for proper screening, we are going to use those security points for our screening exercises of those coming to Kano from those ends."
In his short speech, the Co-Chairman of rhe Task Force, Prof. Habib commended the state government for being proactive from day one up to the time of inaugurating the Task Force, assuring that COVID-19 is a global problem.
Health Commissioner Dr Tsanyawa reveals that, "There are five strategies put in place to respond in the most appropriate way to this global phenomenon.
The strategies, as he listed are "Heightened surveillance and identification of potential suspects, efficient contact tracing, enhance risk communication and behavioral changes, effective management of confirmed cases, if any and psychological support of confirmed cases, if any."
Meanwhile during the inspection of the Kano Isolation Centre, Ganduje promised to upgrade the Centre, that took care of the suspected Lassa Fever cases few weeks back and prepared for any unwanting Corona Virus suspected case(s) that might crop up.
The Centre is situated at Yar Gaya, few kilometres away from Kano metropolis, in Dawakin Kudu local government. He inspected the facility and was briefed about the facility by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa.
He said "This Centre will be upgraded and will have more equipments that are of global standard. There is no mincing words in this."
Prior to his visit to Isolation Centre, governor Ganduje was at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) where he also inspected screening facilities at that entry point, assuring that his government would always support the good and proactive measures that were being taken by the Committee and other stakeholders.
While urging passengers affected by the necessary closure of the airport's International Wing by the federal government, he called on all affected by the closure to see that development as another way of sacrificing to the safety of all.
While precautionary measures are taken, governor Ganduje urges public to continue observing all medical advices given by health workers. As wash hand and using sanitizer are also essential, staying home and social distancing are crucial measures.
Abba Anwar
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano State
Thursday, 26th March, 2020
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