The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
The Kano State government has alleged that some federal agencies and airline operators at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) have refused to comply with standard screening procedures meant to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
Besides, the state Ministry of Health has not disclosed its emergency response fund released by the state government to procure test kits, protective gears and other expenses being deployed against the global epidemic.
Speaking at a media briefing on the ministry’s preparedness against the COVID-19, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, said the state government has provided adequate logistics to manage the emergency.
Tsanyawa, who declined to disclose the identity of the airliners, however, said the operators have refused to subject their passengers to screening and filling of incident forms where passengers declare their state of health.
He noted that the ministry was working with federal agencies on health, including Port Health and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to man all entry points to forestall the outbreak in Kano.
He pointed out that since the confirmation of the Coronavirus outbreak in Lagos, Kano State had activated its emergency preparedness and response committee meeting and incident action plan.
“We activated our rapid response team and an isolation centre at Yar-gaya and government plans to further intensify COVID-19 surveillance in the state through.
“We are engaging traditional and religious leaders to educate our people. We are also training medical and health personnel on safety consciousness in handling suspected cases,” he added.
Although Tsanyawa disclosed that fund was approved to procure facilities and upgrade the isolated centre where suspected case will be admitted, he refused to disclose the amount.
He, however, assured members of the public not to entertain any fear or panic, insisting that necessary precautionary measures were in place.
