In line with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) mandate to support states in strengthening health security, the agency has established and equipped an Infectious
Disease Care Centre (IDCC) and molecular laboratory at the Federal Medical Centre
(FMC), Jalingo, Taraba State.
The establishment of the treatment centre and the laboratory is the result of the strong collaboration between the Federal and State
Governments.
This was commissioned on the 5th of February 2021 by the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora. A handover was done to the State Ministry of Health and FMC Jalingo, which are expected to provide leadership and coordination for the use of these resources.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, several states in Nigeria had limited capacity for the
management and detection of infectious diseases. In response to this, NCDC has been
supporting states in establishing treatment centres and molecular laboratories. In the last eight months, four IDCC have been commissioned across states.
Handing over the newly built treatment centre to FMC Jalingo, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, Honourable Minister of State for Health, commended the efforts of NCDC and the management of FMC Jalingo for their determination to see these projects to fruition.
“I must start by thanking Mr. President for his commitment. At the onset of the pandemic, Nigeria had just four molecular laboratories to test for the virus, we now have almost 120 laboratories across the government and private facilities. COVID-19 is not sparing. It has devastated the lives and livelihood of so many. We are building these structures so that we are better
prepared for future outbreaks and the next pandemic”
As the country’s national public health institute, NCDC has supported states in their
preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks. This includes supporting the establishment of diagnostic capacity, public health emergency operations centres, as well as training of health workers and rapid responders across states.
In the last 11 months NCDC has supported each of the 36 states to activate testing
capacity for COVID-19, further strengthening the resilience of our health system.
In his remarks, the NCDC Director General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said:
“We are committed to building functional and sustainable structures that
will strengthen our national health security, now and for the future. This
pandemic has challenged us greatly but has also provided us clarity on what
we need to do to secure our future. History will not judge us kindly if we fail
to act and act appropriately.”
The Chairman of the FMC Management Board, Barr Okey Ezea, assured the State
Government of the Centre’s commitment to deliver quality health care to the citizens of
Taraba.
“Having an Isolation and Infectious Diseases Treatment Centre within this hospital had for a long time been our dream. The dream is now a reality. The coming of these facilities is well timed and will go a long way in the effective management and treatment of infectious disease cases in the state during epidemics, such as Lassa fever and COVID-19.”