Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has frowned at the poor handling of the index case of COVID-19 in Anambra State by all parties involved.
Recall that the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC had on Friday announced a case of COVID-19 in the state, saying the patient came into the state from Lagos.
Meanwhile, blame games have trailed the discovery of the case in the state, with the hospital where the patient’s sample was taken denying that the case emanated from them, while the community of the patient has also disclaimed him.
Obi in a statement made available to DAILY POST by his Media Office, defended St. Joseph Hospital where the patient was earlier admitted, thanking them for being proactive.
He said going by the measures they took in handling the case, the hospital did well, but described the stigmatization of the index case by the people through videos and publications in various media platforms, and the accompanying psychological trauma, as against the basic principle of collective fight against the pandemic.
Obi expressed confidence in St Joseph Hospital, saying it remained one of the best health facilities in the country and that its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Nwilo Heart Centre remained the best of his kind in Nigeria, whom he described as one of the most patriotic Nigerians
who, though based in the USA, comes in from time to time at his own cost to perform free heart operations.
He commended the Anambra State government for taking the index case to an isolation centre and for following up on the matter in line with prescribed practices. He urged them to do whatever that is necessary to ensure the speedy recovery of the patient.
He said, “I urge all Anambrarians and Nigerians to know that the Coronavirus illness is not sexually transmitted or a criminally-induced disease. It is beyond politics and should not be subjected to fake news. Those afflicted need love, care, understanding and above all, prayers to God to intervene in this scourge ravaging the world.”
He urged all those that had contact with the index case to present themselves for testing and or isolation as the case may be.
