9000 TESTED FOR COVID-19,543 CASES IN PLATEAU AS @ TODAY...I DONATED 2000 FACE MASKS, SANITIZERS TO LANGTANG SOUTH-DR NIMKONG NDAM LAR.

9000 TESTED FOR COVID-19,543 CASES IN PLATEAU AS @ TODAY...I DONATED 2000 FACE MASKS, SANITIZERS TO LANGTANG SOUTH-DR NIMKONG NDAM LAR. 

In a brief chat with Nanyah Daman, Ponjul Lipdo and Peter James of the NewsGate Magazine in his office at the Plateau State Secretariat, Dr Nimkong Ndam Lar, the Honourable Commissioner of Health, Plateau State spoke on the efforts of the Ministry at educating the general public on the need to constantly wear face masks,wash hands, keep physical distance and use hand sanitizers to mitigate and minimize the spread of COVID-19. 

The hardworking and no nonsense Commissioner of Health is always observed monitoring hospitals,isolation centres and health facilities and Briefing the Press on the level of cases in the State. 

Speaking on the daily rise of COVID-19 cases, the Commissioner said people should not panicked as it is a good omen,that shows more people are being tested.

He also spoke on the Hill College of Nursing seeking registration, advising persons interested in opening Health Institutions to follow the due process of registration. 

Enjoy the Excerpts:

Newsgate Magazine: What did you donate to the people of Langtang South Local Government Area recently ?

Commissioner of Health: I donated over 2000 face masks and hand sanitizers to the people of Langtang South LGA through my Personal Assistant.The  face masks and hand sanitizers were divided to two groups.The first group was for the political class and the other to the religious leaders so they can share it in the churches.

Newsgate Magazine: Sir, can you briefly summarise the reasons for the upward trend and rise of the Covid 19 cases in Plateau State?

Commissioner of Health: We are now testing alot of people with almost nine thousand persons tested and that is why more people are getting it, presently there are 543 cases in the Plateau as of today. There are other reasons, like the fact that people are not obeying the social distancing and other ground rules Most people in the Plateau think they have a low risk of contracting the virus but anybody can get it, whether rich or poor, big or small.

Newsgate Magazine: Have you gotten more of the PPE materials from the State Government, the Federal Government and other sources?

Commissioner of Health: The Government released some money and we bought some. Fortunately we bought recyclable products which helps us more, we also got some donations from NCDC and WHO. 

NewsGate Magazine: About the allowances of workers, have you met their demands ?Because we understand that some are trying to ruffle the ground. 

Commissioner of Health: There was an agreement reached between the workers and the Federal Ministry of Health,saying workers will be paid some allowances and inducements, I think they got the first 3 months pay but the State has not. They said it is the State that will negotiate with their workers which was said recently.

Newsgate Magazine: We recently heard an announcement over the Hill College of Nursing, how do you handle those who are about to register for health institutions?

Commissioner of Health: Yes, there was a press release from the Ministry by the Commissioner of Health, someone wanted to start a School of  Nursing and Midwifery on the Plateau, but to open a school, there are criteria  they must fulfill, but this particular person wants a short cut and we said no.One of the  criteria is to have a hospital for practice that can have a minimum of 265 and a  maximum of 200 beds,but the person does not meet that criteria. 

Newsgate Magazine: Sir, what is your call on the people of Plateau on the recent fearful daily news of increment of Covid 19 cases in the State?

Commissioner of Health: The figures are rising but we shouldn't panic but listen to what the Government asked us to do, like the social distancing, wearing of masks,washing of hands and regular use of hand sanitizers. 

Newsgate Magazine: Which Local governments have more cases of the Covid 19 than others?

Commissioner of Health: First in the list is Jos North followed by Jos South, then Kanam, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Shendam, Kanke and so on in ascending order.