The Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, unveiled a 70-bed COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment Centre, located within the premises of Landmark Exhibition Centre in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.
The 70-bed Eti-Osa Isolation Centre, constructed by the Lagos State chapter of the Young President Organisation, YPO, has a dedicated 10-bed intensive care isolation unit, four ventilators, monitors, respirators, mobile x-ray, ultrasound and oxygen facilities.
Speaking at the commissioning, Sanwo-Olu, said that the facility will provide additional capacity to support the already existing isolation facilities in the state, adding that the birth of the facility signifies a working and fruitful collaboration between the public and private sectors.
He further explained that the unveiling of the facility is a clear demonstration and commitment of his administration to an all-inclusive system of governance.
He said, “What we have seen here today is another demonstration of Public-Private Partnership, PPP, collaboration between the state government and a consortium, the Young President Organisation, which is peopled by a crop of professionals from different fields coming together to fund this laudable project.”
Commending the YPO, Sanwo-Olu said the facility has been taken over by the state government, but will be operated in collaboration with the organisation; even as he expressed satisfaction at the level of preparedness of the medical professionals who will work at the facility.
He stressed that the facility is ready to commence patient admission, adding, “We have taken over this facility, but it will be operated in collaboration with the private sector. I am happy with the level of preparedness I have seen. I am happy with the level of professional staff that will be operating this facility. This facility is ready to go and I am sure either today or tomorrow we will start admitting people into this facility.”
Earlier, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the management and operation of the centre was coordinated by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Abayomi, signed in behalf of the Lagos State government, while Tatiana Mousalli signed on behalf of the YPO.
No fewer than 80 clinical and non-clinical staff, including doctors and nurses and intensive care professionals, who have undergone training in Infection Prevention and Control, as well as COVID-19 case management will work at the facility.
Present at the unveiling if the isolation centre were the Lagos State Head of Service, HoS, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; and Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye and Health Service Commission, Dr. Muyiwa Eniayewun.
