Ehanire: FCT has more than enough bed spaces for COVID-19 patients

Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, says the federal capital territory (FCT) is no longer under pressure of providing bed spaces for the  management of COVID-19 patients.

He disclosed this during the presidential task force (PTF) briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the minister, there will be no reason for persons who test positive for COVID-19 in the FCT to be managed outside isolation facilities.

“COVID-19 has long since become a global phenomenon affecting nearly all states of the world and all nations are working together and I urge all state authorities in Nigeria to accept the reality and also work with each other and the federal government and play their role in this strategy to keep our people safe,” he said.

“This includes decentralisation that requires making the minimum of 300 isolation beds ready so that the national health system does not run out of COVID-19 bed spaces.

“In this regard,  the federal ministry of health stands ready to support all states in their efforts to build resilient and responsive systems for citizens of their states.

“The FCT, for example, is no longer under bed space pressure, having been well supported with assets to meet all levels of care, security and needs.

“There will, therefore, be no reason for COVID-19 positive persons to be outside of the designated isolation and treatment centres, especially with the THISDAY Dome isolation centre now ready to take cases.

“The FCT is managing the Idu COVID-19 treatment centre with over 500 beds’ capacity. And this facility is ready.”

He advised Nigerians to take responsibility in the next phase of the lockdown relaxation, emphasising the importance of adhering strictly to all health protocols so that the COVID-19 infection “does not spike or bounce off as it has been observed in many countries where lockdown was relaxed.”

With 674 cases, the nation’s capital has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Lagos has 5,135 cases, the highest, followed by Kano, 958 infections. Nigeria has a total of 10,578 cases.