Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), says it has trained 1,875 health workers on COVID-19
case identification and response, to stem further spread of the pandemic.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day step down training started on June 11, was organised by ENS-PHCDA in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Dr George Ugwu, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, told newsmen on Sunday in Enugu that the training was designed to exposed health workers and volunteers to all aspects of COVID-19 knowledge and what they were expected to do.
He disclosed that the training exercise was conducted simultaneously at senatorial districts, local government and ward levels in the 17 council areas in the state.
The secretary noted that participants of the exercise were drawn from PHC centres, private hospitals, traditional birth attendants, immunisation officers, traditional and community leaders as well as 10 volunteer focal persons from each ward.
According to him, the first three days of the training exercise was for the PHC workers while the fourth day exercise for private hospitals, local traditional birth, traditional and community leaders, volunteer focal persons, among others.
“Participants were availed the NPHCDA COVID-19 Response Manuel for PHCs; while the training was based on most of the things contained in the manual, as well as inputs from WHO and other partners.
“The step down training to the health workers and volunteers, at the ward and village level became imperative to deepen the general health workers knowledge on COVID-19 suspected cases, identification, temporary isolation and quick referral to the state’s COVID-19 Task Force.
“This training is also important to raise well-guided health workers at the grassroots that will help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and take informed quick actions as the virus enters community transmission stage,’’ he said.
Ugwu lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for supporting the ENS-PHCDA activities and programmes, adding that the gesture had made the agency up its activities to achieve enviable successes at zonal and national health ranking.
He also commended the NPHCDA, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners for providing fund and supervision of the training exercise.
One of the participants, Mr Maximus Chibuoke, who is also the Head of Department Health in Enugu South Local Government Area (LGA), said that the training had made much impact and checked phobia on COVID-19 among the participants.
“We are enlightened better on why and how to protect ourselves by using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), while carrying out care of patients, who come to the PHC centres daily,’’ Chibuoke said.
Also speaking, Mr Thomas Agbo, Local Immunisation Officer in charge of Enugu North LGA, said that the training had provided proactive ways to promote physical distancing and regular hand washing for the health workers and patients.
One of the participants, Mr John Nnamani, said that he had been sensitised to the need to always wear face mask and regular temperature checks daily before going to work.
On her part, Mrs Vivian Inyiama, thanked the Agency for the training meant to ensure safety of health workers at grassroots as well as proper guide on the COVID-19 protection and treatment protocols.
