FEATURED NEWS
COVID-19 That We All May Be Safe
- Details
- Published: 06 May 2021
By Humphrey Ogu
Novel Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19 pandemic threw up a lot of challenges to humanity. Although every entity—country, state, community , organisation strove to protect its citizens or staff, different organisations adopted different approaches to ensuring that people are protected from the killer virus. As a socially responsible institution, the University of Port Harcourt took a proactive step by sensitising members of the academic community on T uesday, February 11, 2020 on how to stay safe from Lassa Fever virus and Novel Coronavirus two viral killer diseases ravaging parts of the world at the time. The one-day Sensitisation Forum on Lassa Fever and Novel Coronavirus at Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium was organised by Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and T oxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR) in collaboration with UniPort School of Public Health. It featured two lectures. The first one was entitled, “Lassa Fever and Novel Coronavirus: An Overview of What We Know and What We Need to Do,” delivered by Consultant Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Physician, DrDatonye Alasia. In herlecture entitled:
“Infection Prevention and Control for Lassa Fever and Corona Virus”, Consultant Epidemiologist and Acting Head of Department of Preventive and Social Medi ci ne, Dr Omosi vi e Maduka recommended regular hand washing with soap under running water as well as personal hygiene as preventive measures. She also demonstrated best ways of washing the hands and wearing masks to prevent contracting the viral diseases.
On March 25, 2020, staff on Grade Level 11 and below were asked to stay away from work, except for drivers
and others on essential duties. This was to reduce the number of staff at work, thereby checking the spread of the Covid-19. A memo conveying that decision, which was signed by the Registrar , Dr Dorcas Otto on behalf of management, urged staff to adhere strictly with the precautionary measures recommended by the World Health Organisation. Other measures taken by the Management of the University were the installation of washing hand basins with running water and liquid wash at different spot on campus. At the entrance of the Senate Building, where six of such basins are stationed three on each of the two wings, security men are on hand to enforce compliance with the handwashing rules. This is in addition to checking the temperature of staff and visitors to the building. More so, the use of face masks had also been made mandatory for those who wish to access the building. Sometime in May this year , an indigenous firm, AMNI International Petroleum donated Covid-19 equipment to the University. This donation has culminated in the University having a Centre for Covid-19, which was commissioned on Monday, September 14, 2020. While overseeing the affairs of t h e University, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Regina Ogali had on
Friday, June 25, 2020 paid a working visit to the centre, located at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology and Bioresources Research (RCBBR). Again, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences had e a r l i e r p r o d u c e d h a n d s a n i t i s e r, w h i l e t h e
Department of Fine Arts and Design also massproduced customised facemask for use by staff and students in the University.
On Monday, October 12, 2020, the Acting Vice Chancellor , Professor Stephen Okodudu, led other Principal Officers and some senior staff on inspection of the Isolation Centre in the eventuality of any case. T h e I s o l a t i o n C e n t r e i s l o c a t e d a t t h e Internationational Students' Centre, University Park. The level of preparedeness at the Centre was quite impressive and satisfactory.
While the authorities of UniPort does its bit in ensuring the safety of staff, students, visitors, and other stakeholders in the University, it behoves every individual t o c ont i nue t o obey the Covid-19 preventive protocols. This way, UniPort shall be safe. And we all shall stay safe and healthy.
