Lagos to open international infectious disease research centre in response to Covid-19

LAGOS State government intends to open an international infectious disease research centre at the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba as part of an ambitious plan to establish a post-pandemic health regime.

Accounting for over a third of coronavirus cases in Nigeria, Lagos State has so far recorded 10,510 instances of Covid-19, out of a national total of 25,694. Being the epicentre of the pandemic, the Lagos State government has been working flat out opening isolation centres and treating any cases at the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital.

Governor Babajide Sanwoolu said that his administration now intends building on this success by opening a permanent infectious disease centre. Speaking at the official inauguration of 150-bed Mainland Infectious Disease Isolation Centre donated by the Private Sector Coalition Against Covid-19 to the state government, Governor Sanwoolu said it is important for citizens to understand the need to take responsibility against the pandemic.

He added that his administration would also erect a purpose-built doctors’ quarters and permanent isolation wards to ramp up capacity for any infectious disease outbreak as part of the global master plan. According to the governor beyond putting up isolation facility for Covid-19 case management, members of the public have a role to play too.

Professor Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State health commissioner explained that the new facility has a fully contained PCR laboratory, a routine laboratory, a bouquet of administrative and ancillary facilities. It will also have a water treatment plant, a waste management system and three power generators for case management.

Herbert Wigwe the managing director of Access Bank hailed the government and the governor for the timely and good response against the Covid-19 pandemic. Access Bank is one the members of the Private Sector Coalition Against Covid-19.