Perm Sec applauds Sanwo-Olu over Covid-19 battle, says ICT is the new order for business, Post Covid-19

Success Damian:

With the gradual easing of the latest phase of the lockdown in Nigeria, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, which has brought the World to its knees, coupled with the attendant disruption in business, commerce, social, educational system etc, and the anticipation of Lagos State Government opening worship centres, soon, the Governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu has been applauded on the way the state Government took the fight headlong to tackle the virus in the state, especially, the incident command structure.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr Muyiwa Eniayewun commended the incident commander, Mr Sanwo-Olu recently, when he talked on “Impact of Covid19 on Health Care Management-Strength and Opportunities" at the 1st Lagos State University Master in Business Administration (LASUMBA) Virtual Public Lecture titled “Covid-19: Cracks in the business world"

Dr. Eniayewun noted that with the structure, the state government was on top of the situation, with the commissioner for Health, Prof. Abayomi, a medical practitioner as the Deputy incident commander as well as an incident manager, all worked with available resources, human and otherwise to confront the pandemic in the state.

The battle to tackle Coronavirus are with focus on these nine thematic pillars" epidemiology & surveillance, laboratory, case management, risk communication, logistics& procurement, infection prevention & control, psychosocial, research and point of entry", saying the structure went a long way in tackling the virus".

He noted that the virus, though, not a pleasant one, brought a lot of partnership and capacity building.

"Isolation facilities, including two intensive care units built, CRC in Gbagada General Hospital renovated and converted to isolation wards in two months. Training of over 2000 health workers in IPC, testing capacity improved as well as enlisting of private facilities in Covid-19 management", the top civil servant listed as the gains of the pandemic.

Speaking further, Dr Eniayewun praised the governor and the state government for providing robust leadership towards the battle to rid Lagos of the virus, through ownership, timely intervention, decisions, adaptability, flexibility, motivation and enormous support for the Frontline health workers.

The permanent Secretary stated that communication and mass mobilisation were very effective and key in confronting the virus by the state government. "Total dissemination of information  and use of technology were truly deplored through a call centre- 08000CORONA. Also, the use of telemedicine, a mobile app for home care and virtual consultation, trainings were conducted through webinar", these are some of the impact of Coronavirus, he opined.

He concluded by emphasising that the new normal is here. He advised organisations on post COVID19 direction, to create response team in all units, develop protocols and ensure strict compliance to guidelines. For Governments, he urged them to build capacity in the health sector, encourage local manufacturing of health related materials, products, PPE and standard guidelines for hospitals should be developed.