The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has allayed fears of a shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), in its health facilities.
The authority said that, contrary to claims of shortage, it has provided adequate PPE to all its health facilities both at the primary and secondary levels.
Dr Mohammed Kawu, Acting Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
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Kawu also said that the secretariat had put measures in place to ensure that the PPE provided were being utilised by the health workers because the administration’s priority was the safety and security of all its health workers.
He assured that the FCTA would continue to look out for their safety and ensure their security, both of which were key to winning the fight against COVID-19.
“The FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat has noted with concern, a report in the media alleging shortage of Personal Protection Equipment ( PPE,), in FCTA health facilities.
He explained that apart from the large equipment procured by the administration and the ones donated by well-meaning individuals and organisations, an order had been placed by FCTA for a large supply.
“While PPE and other health consumables have been disbursed directly to FCTA General Hospitals, a large quantity of the equipment had been handed over to the FCT Primary Healthcare Board.
“This is for supply to the area councils and onward distribution to primary healthcare facilities, especially the high volume facilities,” he said.
Kawu added that, as part of efforts to overcome the challenge of testing for COVID-19, the secretariat increased its sample collection team to 48 across the FCT, and opened same at the Exhibition Centre, opposite Radio House.
“This has greatly increased sample collection and coverage area.
“Similarly, with the donation of a 54 gene mobile Laboratory at ThisDay Dome, which serves as testing, isolation and treatment centre, FCT now has two testing centres.
“This has greatly increased testing capacity in the territory.
“So far, a total of 6,132 persons have been tested in the FCT,” Kawu said.