U.S. organisation boosts coronavirus fight in Enugu State

• Two new confirmed cases in Ebonyi don’t live in Enugu’
• Umahi suspends commissioner, Perm Sec, others for sabotage

Health workers in Enugu State had their morale boosted yesterday with the donation of medical facilities by an Atlanta Georgia, United States (U.S.)-based non-governmental organisation, the Arms of Care International.

The medical facilities, which included several cartons of face masks, hand gloves, hand sanitisers and other personal protective equipment (PPEs) were donated to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH).

Former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who presented the items on behalf of the organisation, said the group sent the relief to the hospital being one of the tertiary institutions in the country handling complex cases of COVID-19.

He noted that the hospital had done well in attending to some complicated cases, adding that the workers’ commitment and dedication were worthy of note.

Receiving the items in the presence of Deputy Chief of Staff (COS) to Enugu State Governor, Professor Malachy Ukwueze, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Obi Ikechukwu, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of ESUTH, Professor Hycinth Onah, assured the donors of its effective use, saying part of the challenge in the fight against the covid-19 was dearth of protective equipment for health workers.

Besides, the Enugu State Government declared that the two newly confirmed coronavirus cases in Ebonyi State never lived in the state, stressing that they deliberately misinformed the Ebonyi health officials.

Reports linked to Ebonyi officials had claimed that two of its victims who are indigenes of the state live and do business in Oji River, Enugu State, adding that the couple, who deal in telephone accessories were said to have been intercepted at a point in Ebonyi State.

But reacting to the development, Dr. Ikechukwu said the claim was false, stressing that the victims never lived in Enugu.

Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi has suspended the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Samuel Okonkwo, his Permanent Secretary for one month without salary for sabotaging the state government efforts in the fight against coronavirus.

Others suspended by the Governor are all Development Centre Coordinators of Afikpo North and Ivo council areas, leadership of the Town Union in the communities, who have demonstrated incompetence and dereliction of duty in the fight against COVID-19.

Governor Umahi handed the suspension after visiting the Afikpo North and Ivo council areas to ascertain the level of compliance, noting that he was disappointed over what he saw wondering why people were playing with the deadly disease.