Covid-19: Anambra builds local testing capacity, partners WHO to train 42 sample collectors

In furtherance of its commitment to the war against Covid-19, Anambra state government is poised to increase capacity in sample collection and local testing in the 21 local government areas of the state.

To this end, the state government in collaboration with WHO and NCDC has trained 42 medical personnel as sample collectors for Covid-19.

The training which took place at Chicotel hotel, Awka, Saturday, June 20, 2020 and Monday, June 22, 2020 aims at equipping the personnel with requisite skills for sample collection at the grassroots.

Speaking at the training session, Anambra state commissioner of health, Dr Vincent Okpala said that “building capacity in local testing remains the highest priority item of the administration in the battle against Coronavirus”.

He noted that a lot of collaborative work is going on with NCDC to ensure that this is made effective within the week.

Recall that Gov Obiano who is also head of the state’s Covid-19 task force, announced the establishment of Covid-19 task forces in the 21 local governments and 326 wards of the state, in a broadcast recently.

It is expected that the sample collectors will compliment the work of the LGA and ward Covid-19 task forces and help strengthen the surveillance system that has been put in place by the state.

According to Dr Okpala, the distribution is two trained personnel per LGA, spanning the 21 LGAs. The idea is that each LGA will have no less than three sample collection sites thereby bringing sample collection very close to the grassroot.

“With the testing facility at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku set for activation, our testing capacity, confirmation of cases and treatment will surely increase. This will ultimately help to curb community spread of the virus in the state”, he concluded.

Ikenna Aniagboso