Navy Unveils 40 Bed space Isolation Centre in Lagos

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has unveiled a 40-bed-space isolation centre at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos State.

The newly opened isolation centre the security agency said it’s for personnel who might test positive for Covid-19 disease.

In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, noted that the centre would be used to isolate positive but asymptomatic persons, adding it was part of NN’s proactive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

According to him; “the Nigerian Navy identified the need for increase in its isolation centres as a proactive measure toward quick response to the COVID-19 management.

“Especially in situations where other facilities are overwhelmed with high number of patients ,this 40-bed isolation centre which we are about to put to use immediately is part of the contributions of the Nigerian Navy to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

“The isolation centre will be used to isolate positive but asymptomatic persons under strict guidance of trained medical personnel with technical support from the Lagos State Government”.

Ibas further buttressed that as there was an increase in exposure to the virus, there was also a rise in the number of confirmed cases.

He maintained that increase in confirmed cases led to isolation centres to be limited.

“An increase in exposure to the virus will lead to an increase in the number of confirmed positive cases.

“Therefore, the management of positive cases includes the isolation of infected persons to reduce the chances of further spread in the community.

“Isolation centres have been established across the country to isolate and manage confirmed cases, however, as more cases are confirmed, there arises the need for more centres for the isolation of people to reduce the risk of further transmission,” Ibas said.

He pointed out the Nigerian Navy could not afford to take any chances, especially, looking at how compacted their ships were.

According to him; “from what we have been hearing, somebody can have the virus but asymptomatic, that means it is possible that it can be spread to others.

“And you know by the nature of our work-space in the ship, which is enclosed compartment, we can’t afford to have a high rate of such”.

Ibas, however, posited that the Navy had been in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Lagos, since the project was initiated, stressing that the NN would continue to contribute its quota towards ensuring that the pandemic would be curtailed anytime soon.

“Since this project was conceived, up till the commissioning, the NCDC is in support of the NN policy for the health care need of personnel as championed by the CNS.

“The NN will continue with this type of programme where necessary in other parts of the country where we have a high concentration of naval personnel,” he said.