The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has hailed health workers on the frontlines of efforts to manage the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state, noting that their commitment, resilience and sacrifices are enviable and commendable.
The governor said this in commemoration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work marked every year by the United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as well as other UN organs.
According to him, “We have done a lot to ensure that Edo people are protected from coronavirus by imposing restrictions and ensuring safety and good hygiene, but those who have stood on the frontlines of this fight are the health workers. These immensely valuable set of workers have continued to mount a formidable shield against the coronavirus pandemic and have done an excellent job at managing the spread of the virus.”
The governor said that the state government has provided in-service training, life insurance and special allowances to the health workers managing the coronavirus pandemic in the state and would continue to ensure that they are well motivated to perform even more effectively.
“We have some of the best set of hands working in the healthcare sector in the state. A lot of these persons spend time away from their families and loved ones. They are working tirelessly to ensure that we do not record fatalities among those who contract the virus.
“One of the key observations we have made in the past three weeks is that all those who are being treated at our isolation centres have recorded 100 per cent recovery. That is a testament to the good work that the health workers in the state are doing. So, we salute them for being at their best at this time,” the governor said.
The Edo State Government has undertaken far-reaching measures to combat the COVID-19 challenge, which led to the procurement of four PCR machines for testing; purchase of 5000 Viral Transport Medium (VTM); establishment of two new testing centres in Benin; renovation of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and construction of an ultra-modern Infectious Disease Centre at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, among others.
