The Edo State COVID-19 Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) is being upgraded by the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) and John Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) as part of its contribution to help the state in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
In an exclusive interview with THE WITNESS, the state project manager, Dr Folus Ejele, said the centre which is the situation room would be commissioned on the 24th of May, 2020.
He said the upgrading project is being funded for the state by USAID through JHPIEGO and on commission, it will be handed over to the state government.
According to Dr Folus, the emergency operation centre (EOC) is where the coordination, follow up, tracking, data collation and details of covid 19 is done in Edo state. “We are upgrading the EOC for Edo state government and we are bringing in new items to add to what the government already have on ground. We are also going to train the staff they have on ground and continue to give them support ”
The state coordinator further said that what the government have on ground is very encouraging and commended the state governor, Mr. Goodwin Obaseki, for his commitment towards the fight against the pandemic in the state. “What we saw on ground was so encouraging because from our interactive sessions with them, it is clear that the governor is on top of the situation of Covid 19 response.
They have so many testing centres , they are among the first to have testing centres in Nigeria and they are building more testing centres. ”
Speaking further, Dr Folus who is a seasoned medical practitioner and stare project manager for USAID/JHPIEGO elucidated that they will handle the project for three months before they will handl it over to the state government after commission.
He added that the state government has been very cooperative and that they have met with the leadership of the health sector in Edo state led by the commissioner of health. “In areas where they want us to help , we have analysed and identified those things that needs to be upgraded in the EOC and we are adding value to the centre”.