Visionary Reports

         Medical personnel on red alert

 The Secretary of State to the Ministry of Public Health in charge of Epidemics and Pandemic Alim Hayatou has called on the medical personnel in the littoral region not to relent in the fight against the novel corona virus. The Secretary of State made the declaration on October 16, 2020 during an evaluation on the fight against Covid 19 in the region. The Secretary of State visited the New Bell district Hospital, Laquintinie Covid 19 isolation centre and the Douala seaport.

While at the Laquintinie Covid 19 isolation centre, the Director Prof.  Noel Essomba explained that the centre has 24 beds. He added that at the moment they have 10 Covid 19 patients with one under oxygen. He sounded off that the hospital staff are on the alert and they work night and day to ensure that Covid 19 patients get better care.

While at the Douala seaport, all staff were out to take the Covid 19 test, the chief medical officer at the Douala Port Authority Health centre,   Dr.  Essombe Malongue explained that with the outbreak of Covid 19, they developed strategies to fight against the disease.   At the moment she went on, “we have an ongoing campaign to test all workers of the Douala Port Authority. At the moment we have only one positive case was”.

At the end of the visit the Secretary of State Alim Hayatou, had a working session with the medical personnel in the region.

While presenting the current situation of Covid 19 in the region, the regional coordinator for the prevention and fight against epidemics, Dr Mossi Makembe Hans revealed that, 4200 people in the region have been tested of Covid 19 out of which 93% were cured and 122 deaths registered. He added that 27 pregnant women were also tested positive but all were cured of the disease. To him, they were at the phase of intensification of voluntary testing campaigns while adding that the campaign will take place in the nine health districts in Wouri division. Dr Mossi Makembe Hans disclosed that in preparation for schools resumption, they launched a free testing campaign on the 22 of September for teachers in the secondary education sector which is still on course.

 The Director of the promotion of health in the ministry of Public health, Dr Tandi Eric used the opportunity to request the population to put hands on deck in the fight against Covid 19. He called on the medical personal of the region to redouble sensitization efforts and raise more awareness about the existence of Covid 19.

On his part the secretary of State Alim Hayatou did not minced words when he cautioned that Covid 19 is not yet over and   requested the population to continue keeping to the barrier measures.

 By Gina ESONG

  Reaction

“Covid 19 is not yet over”

–  Alim Hayatou -Secretary of State to the ministry of Public Health  

“Covid is still around and we must be on the alert. We might be witnessing a low rate of infection but it doesn’t mean that we are free from Covid. The medical personnel in the littoral region should mobilized and re-enforce vigilance. The population should continue to respect barrier measures. We all must put hands on deck to fight against Covid19”

 Collected by  Gina ESONG