By Adeniyi Adedeji, Ilorin
The University of Ilorin has waved an olive branch to the Kwara State government in the area of carrying out tests on COVID-19 suspected cases.
Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Services, Prof. Ibraheem Adeola Katibi, who made the call for the collaboration said this would also help to develop the institution’s Central Research Laboratory for COVID-19 testing in order to have faster results.
Prof. Katibi, who made the call while featuring on a radio discussion programme, “Table Talk,” stated that if the government had the mind of establishing a new centre, it might no longer be useful at a time that the pandemic would have been over.
He pointed out that the university, no doubt, has the resource persons to manage a full-fledged testing centre.
The Professor of Medicine said that although the Kwara State government has taken all preventive measures before any confirmed case in the state, there was still the need to have a testing centre in the state.
He added, “If the state cannot collaborate with the UITH to carry out the tests, there are experts in the field at the University of Ilorin that can help in carrying out the tests perfectly.”
Prof. Katibi disclosed that the university had not recorded any case of COVID-19 among its staff and students because of the proactive measures put in place by the Institution.
The measures, according to him, included: erection of hand washing points at strategic places on campus, provision of sanitizers for the various offices, as well as use of face masks and the maintenance of social and physical distance by members of the university community.
He however said that the university could still do more to safeguard the community; even as he called on all staff and other members of the university community to always abide by the rules and regulations put in place by the government to stem the spread of the deadly virus.
Prof. Katibi, who is also the Chairman, Board of Health Services, of the University of Ilorin, lamented the decision of the Federal Government to relax the lockdown imposed on the nation to contain the pandemic.
According to him, reviewing the lockdown at this time is very dangerous for the nation, because it could lead to a worrisome increase in the spread of the disease; thus asking that care should be taken in this respect.
He added, “Scientifically, the curve of the spread rate is still rising at the moment,” pointing out that there ought to be a visible reduction in the number of recorded cases before such decision by the government can be made.
