‘Treat every case of malaria as COVID-19,’ Anambra Govt Orders Health Professionals

Chukwudi Ndubeze

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala, has advised health professionals in the state to treat every case of malaria as COVID-19 until proved otherwise.

According to the Commissioner  some people treated for malaria later turned out to be COVID-19 patients,  which in some cases are  discovered too late.

However, following the second wave of the coronavirus in Nigeria which has resulted in a considerable spike in infections in Anambra State in the last two weeks, Anambra state Governor, Willie Obiano has made a passionate appeal to the people to shield themselves from the pandemic.

In a special message to Ndi Anambra Governor Obiano said that reports from across Anambra State show a huge increase in infections  which if not arrested now will produce a catastrophic result in the near future.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, there are eighty confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state since the second wave began two weeks ago, representing  an average of forty cases per week which is in contrast with what the state used to record in the first wave.

It said the state government feared a big increase during the Christmas and New Year festivities because of millions of people coming into Anambra State from different parts of the country and beyond, so it began early enough to issue advisories on how to contain the second wave of the pandemic.

Governor Obiano lamented  that despite the deaths of some high-profile Nigerians in the second wave of the pandemic like a former Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme University in Ebonyi State, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, who was also a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos,  some  people in Anambra State still have doubt that  COVID-19 is ravaging the country.

The governor expressed embarrassment at some patients who flout the COVID-19 protocols in the most unconscionable and callous manner, as he explained that there are two persons who a few days ago came for testing and were confirmed to be positive, instead of isolating themselves, they rejoined a wedding party and may have infected a number of people.

While urging the people to go for tests and possible treatment which are still free in Anambra, unlike in some states where some private hospitals charge between five and ten million naira per patient for treatment only, Governor Obiano commended the state’s COVID-19 Case Management Team for exceptional professionalism and competence.

He noted  that the team has not lost even one patient since the second wave.

Governor Obiano advised the people to comply with COVID-19 requirements as constant wearing of face masks which will cover their faces and noses, regular washing of hands with running water and soap and keeping social distancing of two metres, so as to avoid a situation which can cause the authorities to impose heavy restrictions in the overriding public interest.