Minister of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday said the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, would convert Zuba General Hospital to Isolation centre for coronavirus patients.
The Administration is currently using a 30-bed space isolation and treatment center at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
FCT minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello disclosed this during an inspection tour of the facility on Wednesday, said the relevant health authorities would, however, conduct their inspections before certifying it for use.
According to him, “the most critical thing is that this place has a lot of space.
“We are talking of five floors. I don’t think the whole of Abuja will have a hospital facility that can accommodate up to five floors. “More importantly, there is power here constantly, and there is an adequate water supply.
“I leave it now for the officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and of course our public health officials.
“Jointly, they will decide what needs to be done here and we have a lot of commitment from the private sector organizations who are willing to support the national efforts to fight this disease.
“Once they all agree, I’m sure that within a very short period, this place can be made functional”.
In his comments, the Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Muhammed Kawu said the building was very adequate and can be converted into a 300-bed facility.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Secretariat of the FCT Administration has rolled out new guidelines for transporters, saying there must be, “alcohol-based sanitizers, handwashing soaps, running water for the use of passengers and drivers.”
Accordingly, “the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abuja Environmental Protection Board in conjunction with other security and enforcement agencies are to ensure compliance.
While drivers and conductors are to always wear recommended nose masks while in transit, “the use of air conditioner in shared taxis and buses is hereby discouraged”.
Some of the other regulations are that “all taxis shall henceforth convey three passengers only: one person in the front seat and Two persons at the back seats.
“All buses shall convey one passenger in the front seat and two passengers on other seats with minimum contact maintained. All high capacity buses shall operate at 50% of its capacity and standing shall n longer be allowed.
“All tricycles (where the operation is allowed) shall convey 2 passengers only at the back seat and only the rider in the front seat.
“It is, therefore, an offense to admit passengers or be allowed to be conveyed in vehicles or tricycles more than these guidelines”.
