ANAMBRA State Government, through the Ministry of Health has trained faith-based hospitals in the state on COVID-19 Chain of Survival Strategies.
Vincent Okpala, the commissioner for Health urged the participants to step up their level of suspicion and identification of COVID-19 symptoms which were the primary course of treatment and containment of the disease.
Dr Okpala said this during a one-day training on the State COVID-19 Chain of Survival Strategies and COVID-19 Update with faith-based hospitals, held in Awka.
The state COVID-19 chain of survival strategies are in compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols, early recognition of symptoms, early identification with the system, early diagnosis and initiation of treatment by healthcare personnel.
Others are, early initiation of contact tracing, early notification of results and initiation of treatment.
Dr Okpala explained that early recognition of symptoms was extremely important and if followed religiously, there would be no mortality rate.
He added that early identification with the structures had enabled early treatment and management of the disease in the state.
“We have advised healthcare personnel to treat all symptoms of malaria at this point as COVID-19 until proven otherwise and this has helped people to survive.
“The objective is also aimed at enhancing the partnership between the hospitals, government to ensure improved healthcare delivery for ndi Anambra.”
According to him, the interaction with the faith-based hospitals in the state will help to create a defined approach to the pandemic ravaging the state.
“It is important that as we are planning, we carry everyone along; we must work together for the growth of healthcare in Anambra,” he said.
“COVID-19 taught us a lot of lessons and so we want to have a defined approach to the pandemic ravaging us.
Dr Okpala commended them, noting that about 75 per cent of care rendered in the state was provided by private hospitals while adding that it was important that the government partnered with them to end the pandemic.
“I express my profound gratitude to you, the level of contribution you add to the growth of healthcare delivery in the state is highly commendable.
