3rd March, 2020
The Anambra House of Assembly on Tuesday summoned the Commissioners for Health and Information and Public Enlightenment to appear before it on the state’s level of preparedness to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
The Commissioners are: Dr Vincent Okpala (Health) and Mr C-Don Adinuba, (Information and Public Enlightenment).
The resolution followed a motion moved under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, by Dr Nnamdi Okafor, the House’s Majority Leader.
Okafor, representing Awka South l, said there was need to ensure adequate preparation and robust response in the state, should a case be detected.
The House said that the Commissioner for Health should come and brief them on the ministry’s preparedness, action plans and preventive measures against the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in the state.
Also, the lawmakers asked Adinuba to brief them on the level of public awareness and sensitisation to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Inviting them will be a great opportunity to know about their preparedness, preventive and proactive measures against this deadly Coronavirus disease that is killing people all over the world.
“We need to know about the training programnes and availability of equipment for the protection of healthcare workers as well as the capacity to test and diagnose the disease.
“Should a case be detected in the state, the Commissioner for Health needs to tell us if a quarantine facility is available or not, the capacity of the state to contain the Coronavirus infection, and of course the treatment plan.
“Another question is, are there any emergency phone lines if someone presents with symptoms of the disease?
“The Commissioner for Information needs to confirm to us the various awareness programmes they have been carrying out to sensitise the public on how to protect themselves against this disease,” Okafor said.
The lawmakers, however, took turns to support the motion, saying that there was the need to know if the state was capable of dealing with coronavirus as the nation records its first case.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Mr Uche Okafor, said the commissioners should appear before the House on the next adjourned date.