By Lucky Isibor,
As a way of maintaining it’s forefront role in leading the response to Covid-19 in collaboration with the Edo State government, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH has hosted a Webinar (internet seminar).
The Webinar tagged “COVID-19 in UBTH: A UBTH Staff Webinar”, and moderated by the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Darlington Obaseki was an avenue for the management of the hospital to enlighten her staff and select members of the public about her effort so far in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19.
The aim of the webinar was to strengthen the hospital’s manpower quality and testing capacity of the state.
The event also afforded the management of the hospital the opportunity to share experience with critical stakeholders involved in the management of COVID-19 in Edo state and beyond in view of the enormous challenge posed by the novel SARS CoV-2.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Medical Director appreciated the management team and staff of the hospital for their diligence during these difficult times. He also appreciated the DG, NCDC Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu who was represented by Dr Tochi Okwor for his unrelenting effort in the fight against COVID-19 and support to the hospital, the Centre Leader at Centre for Excellence in Reproductive Health Initiative (CERHI) UNIBEN, Prof F. Okonofua, the Edo State Government, WHO Edo state and also the Board Chairman UBTH, Bashorun Adedoja Adewolu for their support to the hospital in the face of this pandemic.
Prof Obaseki delivered a lecture titled COVID-19 in UBTH: An overview. Other speakers were Dr. G. Oko-oboh whose lecture was on “Situation Analysis (Nigeria, Edo State and UBTH), Prof C.E. Omuemu and Dr B. Okwara who jointly talked on Clinical Management of COVID-19 in UBTH.
Dr S. Okugbo presented a paper on “Keeping the hospital running: logistics and supply chain management while Dr. (Mrs) E. Ogboghodo delivered a presentation on “Infection Prevention and Control and Surveillance.
At the end of deliberations, some facts emerged from the presentations including that, the elderly, 60 yrs and above are more susceptible to fatalities; there is a higher prevalent rate of infection among males than females, early appearance at the isolation/treatment centres increased the rates of recovery and discharges, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment helped to reduce infections even in the face of exposures; good sanitary practices and appropriate social distancing is very effective against catching COVID-19; there is presently large scale community transmission, and the pandemic is yet to peak in Edo State and the country at large.
