ENS-PHCDA Moves To Vaccinate Health Workers, Others Against COVID-19

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Monday, March 15th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Enugu State Government on Sunday, hinted that it has concluded plans to vaccinate all health workers and others in the state against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

The Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), Dr George Ugwu disclosed this to newsmen in Enugu.

The state government had taken delivery of 65,400 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Abuja last week.

The state government through the ENS-PHCDA gave the first jab of doses of the vaccine to frontline health workers at the Enugu State Isolation and Treatment Centre, Enugu, on March 12.

Head of the centre, Dr Okechukwu Ogbodo, was the first front-line health worker to receive the jab of the vaccine in the state.

Ugwu disclosed that the state had trained and prepared 102 vaccination teams for the first batch of the vaccination, which would cut-across all health workers, selected strategic leaders and some other highly vulnerable people.

He explained that health workers, who are front-line workers on issues of COVID-19, would be the first to primarily receive the vaccines in this first batch.

The executive secretary said that the vaccination would further extend to everybody in the state as subsequent batches of the vaccine arrive from NPHCDA, Abuja to the state.

According to him, the vaccine had been moved directly to the state cold-chain store to preserve its efficacy.

“We have ensured maximum power supply; made provision for alternative solar-powered electricity supply to the cold chain store, usually used in storing vaccines, to ensure that the efficacy of the vaccines are maintained.

He said “We have just concluded a two-day intensive training for 300 COVID-19 vaccinators in Enugu and after some hours from now; we have to do a step-down training in council areas and ward levels.

“As we move the vaccine to get to council areas and ward levels; we have already arranged cold rooms where they would be kept to retain their normal cold temperature.

“At the council areas; we are collaborating with council chairmen to provide enough security for the vaccines as well as vaccinating teams that would move around to give the vaccination to health workers.

“As it is, we are leaving no stone unturned. We will never compromise on issues of the efficacy of the vaccines as well as its security

Ugwu stated “As well, the security of the vaccination team to carry it on cold packs from one point to another in the 17 council areas and ward levels,’’ he said.

He lauded the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for supporting the ENS-PHCDA financially to overcome challenges of COVID-19 vaccination and preparing the Agency and its workers ahead of time.

“It only takes a pro-active and health-loving governor, His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to position the Agency to face the challenge of COVID-19 vaccination.

“We are grateful to him and our health partners,’’ he said.

It was learnt that about three weeks ago, the state through the ENS-PHCDA sent a comprehensive