20 March 2020
A medical practitioner who reportedly works at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital UCTH has posed twelve questions to the Government of Cross River State in respect of the ravaging pandemic, COVID-19.
Mbang Kooffreh-Ada posted twelve questions bordering on the level of preparedness and response of the state government in the event of an outbreak of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the state. Kooffreh-Ada tagged the set of questions 'Covid-19 Jamb questions!!!!!!' ostensibly implying the anticipated response my be in the negative already.
What follows are the questions which bother on isolation centres, economic palliative measures for Nigerians resident and indigenous to Cross River, self isolation, security infrastructure, healthcare staffing, enabling legislation/policy framework, test kits, border control etc:
'1. Do we have an effective isolation centre in CRS, what is the bed space capacity?
2.Do we have an effective ICU in CRS, what is the bed space capacity?
3. Is there ANY functional ventilator in CRS? If any, how many? Will we have constant light to keep the ventilators working?
4. What economic palliative measures are being provided for Cross Riverians? Any measures to stem hoarding of essential goods/drugs/equipments, price hiking etc?
5. If we get to the point of self isolation, what happens to the homeless, street children , elderly living alone etc ?
6. Are the security personnel equipped to handle the 'covid -19 war'? Possible break down of law and order, implementing strict self isolation orders like China?
7. Are they enough Health care workers in the state to handle any impending crisis? Italy had to engage final year medical students to bridge the gap.
8. What proactive polices/bills has the state government/state house of assembly passed to mitigate any crisis.
9. Can we honestly set aside sentiments; tribal, religious and political for once and come together to collectively fight this pandemic?
10. Can we be our "Brother's keeper" in the face any covid -19 crisis?
11. Do we have covid-19 test kits in CRS? Do we have to send samples to Irrua in Edo state? How long does test results come out in real time?
12. Have land borders eg Cameroun border been closed especially with the refugee crisis we have?'
According to a week ago publication by CrossRiverWatch, the government of the state provided a state isolation centre at UCTH. According to the report, the Centre is WHO approved.
Meanwhile, we are expecting the State Government to respond to these set of questions.
