The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) Joint Venture has donated a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory facility to Warri Central Hospital in Delta.
The facility was donated to the hospital on Tuesday in Warri, to assist in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Also donated to the hospital were: test kits, medical consumables, five air conditioners, refrigerators, and a 50-KVA soundproof generating set, and a renovated four-bedroom laboratory building.
Addressing the people, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of CNL, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, said the gesture was part of the contributions of the oil multinational to curtailing the global pandemic in the state.
Brikinn. who was represented by Mr Sam Daibo, Area Manager, PGPA Field Operations, Warri, added that the donation would ensure early detection of COVID-19 cases in Warri and environs?
He lauded the effort of the state government in the coordination of the responses of the oil and gas sector in curtailing the spread of the scourge.
“The aim is to support the government in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Delta by enhancing early detection of cases for isolation and treatment within Warri and environs.
“This is why we are fully involved in the NNPC-led initiative to provide both tactical and strategic support to the coordinated efforts of government in the fight against COVID-19 in our country by halting its spread,” Brikinn said.
Responding, Chief Medical Director (CMD) Warri Central Hospital, Dr Paul Okubor, said the new molecular laboratory would aid testing and release results of tested samples
which usually took 72 hours from Asaba.
Similarly, NNPC/CNL Joint Venture also on Tuesday, handed over a state-of-the-art Surgical Theatre and Consulting Rooms complex to the Ekpan General Hospital in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta.
The project was executed by the Ekpan Development Committee (EDC). Brikinn was also represented by Daibo in the handing over ceremony.
Brikinn said the objective was to provide quality healthcare delivery to the people
According to him, the project was carefully chosen by the Ekpan community to support the medical infrastructure within the community.
Responding, Dr Ufuoma Abeke, Zonal Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ekpan General Hospital, expressed joy at the handing over and promised to make good use of the facilities.