Coronavirus Pandemic
THE Anambra State Government has commended U.S.-based Interventional cardiologist, Dr. Leo Egbujiobi and family, for donating Biosafety level 2 Cabinet machine for COVID-19 testing in the state.
Gov. Willie Obiano, while receiving the equipment worth millions of naira, noted that Ndi Anambra in The Diaspora have been supportive in the fight against COVID-19 in the state.
He applauded Egbujiobi and his wife, Bridget Egbujiobi for thinking home with the gigantic machine donation to the state.
“We appreciate this wonderful donation from this illustrious son and his family and a good number of helpful donations have been received from The Diasporans in America,” he said.
The governor noted that the state has activated COVID-19 testing Lab at Amaku Centre, noting that the Biosafety machine would as well support the testing.
He used the opportunity to commend other Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora for helping the state in various ways; appealing to those in the UK and Australia as well as capable individuals to make their own donations too.
“We are really working hard to ensure that Anambra remains the `Light of the Nation’ in every aspect. The investment in COVID-19 fight has shown that it’s very important to invest in health and wellbeing of our people,’’ he said.
Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the State Government, received the donation on behalf of the governor at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala, said that the Biosafety level 2 Cabinet would be used for activation of Genexpert site at the General Hospital Onitsha for COVID-19 testing.
“This Biosafety cabinet is an enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace for safely working with materials contaminated with or potentially contaminated with pathogens requiring a defined Biosafety level.
“What this piece of equipment does is to help to get us ready in order to start doing COVID-19 testing on our Genexpert platform. We have 9 Genexpert sites in the state and General Hospital Onitsha is one of the places.
“So, this machine is one of the requirements to utilise the Lab, it is one thing that guarantees nobody in the Lab is suffering an infection.
“It is very important equipment and through the collaborative efforts of Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and my Ministry we were able to get in touch with the donor and he decided to donate,’’ he said.
He described Dr Egbujiobi as a good-hearted philanthropist and one of the foremost Interventional cardiologist practicing in Wisconsin, U.S., and an illustrious son of Anambra from Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area.
He pointed out that all the donations received so far had helped the government to successfully fight against the spread of the pandemic and reassured that it would continue to make judicious use of the machine.
Dr Egbujiobi, who presented the equipment through a representative, Chukwudi Okonkwo, said that he was satisfied at the efforts and measures installed by the government in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
He noted that the donation is to encourage, complement and support the government in the state.
– Jul. 8, 2020 @ 11:25 GMT |
Tags: Cardiologist donates COVID-19 Biosafety machine to Anambra
