Bauchi State government has started mass community testing in its effort to tame the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed who flagged off the activity at Tirwun Village in Bauchi metropolis says the essence of the activity was to ensure active search and mass testing, to help the state curb the spread of the virus.
Dr. Rilwanu who is the Chairman of the Covid-19 contact tracing in the state says the State Governor Bala Mohammed was desirous in fighting the pandemic.
He said the active search and mass testing was initiated to ensure that contacts are traced and tested for covid-19.
Rilwanu said unlike before where the state has to take samples to Abuja or neighboring states for testing, the reference laboratory at the State’s Specialist Hospital as well as the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital has enabled them to test samples with ease.
“We are also using the occasion to sensitize people in the communities on the effect of infectious diseases such covid-19 and Lassa fever as well as how they could keep personal hygiene for their safety”, Dr. Rilwanu added.
He said the community active search and mass testing will enable the team conduct more testing to compliment the State’s government effort in combating the disease.
The Chairman said the team will embolden its effort by sensitizing and testing more people in various communities.
Ibrahim Ahmed, a resident of Tirwun village who submitted his sample for testing commended the effort of the State’s Primary Health Care Development Agency for the mass community testing of the disease.
He said prior to the visit of the team, “I was not taking the disease serious, but their sensitization has educated me on the dangers of the virus and that is why I submitted my sample for testing”.
