The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed that it had carried out investigations and testing of 86,505 suspected cases of COVID-19 and recorded 8338 confirmed positive cases as at Dec. 11, 2020.
Acting Secretary, FCTA Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Mohammed Kawu, made the disclosure at a news conference held at the FCT Hospital Management Board, on Monday in Abuja.
Kawu who explained that with a per capital testing rate of over 18,021 per million (1.8 per cent population), FCT remains the only state to attain and surpass the COVID-19 testing target of one per cent population set by the Presidential Task Force(PTF). on Covid-19.
He said that following confirmation of three cases of COVID-19 on March 20, a multi-sectoral COVID-19 Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was activated on March 23, to coordinate the outbreak response in collaboration with partners.
Kawu disclosed as part of efforts to ensure effective healthcare, FCT established seven isolation and treatment centres with 920 total bed capacity including ICU facilities exceeding the 300 bed capacity recommended for states by the PTF.
The acting secretary also revealed that the FCT activated surveillance system at point of entry with screening of over 52,161 Passengers of Interest (POIs) out of which 320 (0.6 per cent) were positive.
Similarly, Kawu said that health and human services secretariat begun 10 scientific research on COVID-19 including randomized clinical trials on drugs effectiveness and management of the virus infection.
He also said that the secretariat ensure the accreditation of FCTA hospitals for Postgraduate Residency Training and establishment of a standard Residency Training Programme to ensure sustain specialist consultant manpower development.
“This will reduce the number of medical officers being released for specialist training in other health institutions,” Kawu said.
He disclosed the FCT in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) would establish Measles, Rubella and Yellow Fever reference laboratory in Maitama District Hospital which serves the entire North Central Zone of the country.
The acting secretary, however, advocated increase funding for the secretariat, noting that the capacity of the secretariat to plan, implement and manage effectively the FCT healthcare sector depends on funds.
Kawu, who decried over dependence on donor fund, ca nvassed for appropriate legislation to back the activities of the FCTschool of Nursing and Midwifery.