- Calls for Re-confirmation Tests
By Akanimo Kufre (Akwa Ibom/Cross River Correspondent of The New Diplomat)
The Akwa Ibom state government has faulted the report of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) over five Coronavirus infected persons in the state, saying the results of the tests did not follow due process.
The state while reacting to the results said in the case of Akwa Ibom, the NCDC failed to follow its established routine by sending results to the governor for necessary action before going ahead to announce it in Abuja.
The state also said new tests carried out on the five persons said to be infected with the virus later came out negative, noting the cases are also asymptomatic.
Addressing newsmen in Uyo on Thursday shortly, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, said even the director of the NCDC was surprised when he was contacted immediately the test results were announced on twitter causing residents of the state to panic.
Ukpong said the blood samples were taken from the team of medical outreach who visited the state.
“We observed a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure. Akwa Ibom state government only heard about the test results in the news.
“The director general of the NCDC was not aware of the reported result announcement. All five reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have showed no COVID-19 symptoms.
“While the tests were being processed in NCDC approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation.
“Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom state and they all returned negative results,” he declared.
Ukpong maintained that the irregularities in the testing procedure compelled all health care professionals in the state to call for immediate reconfirmation tests for the five persons and the results made public
“Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, health care professionals in Akwa Ibom state have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the five reported cases,” the Commissioner added.
He appealled to the NCDC to ensure that due processes are followed to bring public confidence in every test procedure.
“Every result released in the country has some procedures. But, this one did not follow established process. The laboratory is supposed to send the results to the governor first not to the NCDC.
“This procedures was not followed. The governor didn’t know about it. And when we called the rirector of NCDC, he was shocked and promised to call us back. When he finally called, he told us that he was not aware. Therefore, we have to do the tests again,” he said.
Ukpong asked citizens and residents of the state to remain calm and observe all personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines earlier issued including strict adherence to social distancing.
He assured all residents that the incident management committee would continue to meet daily to review the situation while the enforcement committee of the quarantine and restrictions of movement regulations would continue in their full operations to curtail spread of the disease.
