Lagos to deploy 10 oxygen centres
Lagos State Government will inaugurate 10 Oxygen and Sampling centres to improve management of severe-to-critical coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this during a briefing on the second wave of COVID-19 in Lagos yesterday.
Abayomi said that the state would deploy oxygen therapy centres in high burden councils to manage severe-to-critical COVID-19 patients.
According to him, the centres were sited at the Mother and Child Centre, Eti-Osa; General Hospital, Alimosho; General Hospital, Isolo; Aguda Primary Healthcare Centre, Surulere; and General Hospital, Gbagada.
He listed others as Mother and Child Centre, Ifako Ijaiye; Ibeju-Lekki Primary Healthcare Centre; General Hospital, Apapa; Odi-Olowo Primary Healthcare Centre, Mushin; and Amuwo-Odofin Mother and Child Centre.
Abayomi said that the oxygen centres at Mother and Child Centre, Eti-Osa; General Hospital, Alimosho; and General Hospital, Isolo were already completed, while the remaining seven would be completed in the next two weeks.
He noted that medical oxygen was the primary treatment for the majority of patients suffering severe COVID-19 symptoms.
“Many of these patients present late to the isolation centres, thus leading to fatalities. This life-saving gas helps patients breathe when they cannot do so on their own, and timely access to oxygen is critical to ensure the patient’s survival.
“If anyone is breathless, go to any of these centres, and the doctors and nurses there will assist to stabilise you with oxygen before moving you with the ambulance to the isolation centre,” he said.
The commissioner stressed that the state was committed to ensuring improved healthcare system to enhance quality healthcare and save lives of its citizens.
He, however, warned that the rate of COVID-19 infection positivity was increasing in the state due to the festivities and disregard for safety measures.
“On December 26, the state confirmed 253 new COVID-19 infections, increasing the total confirmed cases in the state to 28,774,” Abayomi said.
He added that 75 confirmed cases were currently being managed at the isolation centres, while 3,716 active cases under home-based care were under the state’s EKO TELEMED.
Abayomi said that one fatality was recorded on the reported day, adding that as the pandemic continued, residents would need to make lifestyle adjustments to live with it.
“Living with the pandemic means that you should wear your face mask everywhere, follow physical distancing rules, avoid social gatherings, ensure regular hand washing or hand sanitising.
“If you feel unwell, get tested; if positive, self-isolate or present yourself to any isolation centre or follow up clinics,” the commissioner said.
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