Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state has commissioned a Remodeled GeneXpert Laboratory Centre for Covid-19 testing in the state.
Speaking during the commisioning ceremony at the state specialist Hospital Jalingo, Ishaku said the provision of the laboratory was in fulfillment of his promise during his visit to one of the Isolation centres in the state few months ago.
Representedby his Deputy, Haruna Manu, Governor Ishaku said that the state government would also establish collection centres in some local government areas such as Ardo Kola, Wukari, Sardauna,Takum and Gassol.
According to the governor, now, if there is any suspected case of Covid-19, there will no need to take sample to Jos, plateau state, which is a nine hour drive from Jalingo or Abuja for testing.
According to him the Government of Taraba had earlier assured the citizens of the state a sound testing center which will be provided in no distance time.
“The testing center facility adds to the number of treatment facilities the state has, increasing the capacity for managing COVID-19 in the state,. The state government had previously commissioned a 100-bed isolation and treatment facilities within the state”. The governor recall.
Manu was in company of the Commissioner of health and Chairman covid-19 response team in the state, Dr. Innocent Vakkai and members of the committee including the state Commissioner of information Barr. Danjuma Adamu.
Dr. Innocent Vakkai, in an interview caution the citizens to be mindful of taking the covid-19 guidelines of social distancing, using face mask, as well as keeping hygienic environment in the state seriously.
He however, said that the state’s COVID-19 response team will remain a centrally managed emergency response by the state government, adding that the need to test will be surveillance driven and based on a clear case definition.