Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has offered all its 425 health facilities across the country as coronavirus isolation centres.
Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), who disclosed this at the presidential task force briefing on Monday said state governments can now take advantage of the facilities.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had said no state in the country has enough bed spaces for COVID-19 patients.
But with the recent donations, Mustapha who chairs the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, said this would add in the committee’s support for the state governments.
He stressed;
As part of efforts to support the states in the establishment of the isolation and treatment centres, I wish to remind our governors that the Catholic Bishops Conference has volunteered all the 425 hospitals and clinics nationwide for adaptation and use as isolation centres.
Mustapha expressed that;
Governors are encouraged to please approach Catholic Bishops in their states to access these facilities. As a further cost-effective measure, I also wish to remind subnational authorities that the Nigeria Institute of Architects has pledged the pro bono services of their members to modify, design and supervise all COVID-19 related projects nationwide. Again, we urge that this offer be taken up speedily.
The SGF also said the Thisday Dome treatment and isolation facility will be commissioned on Tuesday.
Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of THISDAY newspaper, had donated the facility to support the fight against coronavirus in Abuja.
Mustapha revealed that;
It will add a total of 270 beds to our isolation capacity in Abuja. This is a private sector-driven initiative and we commend the efforts of this Thisday, NNPC, Sahara Energy Group, CCECC and all the partners involved in this enterprise.
The Catholic Church’s donation follows caution to the Federal Government from Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) against treating coronavirus patients at home as intended.
On April 30, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, had disclosed that the country is considering home-care for some coronavirus patients due to bed space shortage.
However, the NMA and the NANNM on Sunday kicked against this idea, saying the home-care where the majority of the infected people live in crowded houses would create problems for the country.
The bodies also advised the Federal Government to continually adhere to every necessary guidelines for treating coronavirus patients.
