ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS GATHER IN ASABA FOR CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES IN PANDEMIC

Environmental Experts Gather In Asaba For Critical Public Health Issues In Pandemic

Critical intervention for public health in global pandemic will be the main discourse when environmental health experts gather for the 52nd National Scientific Workshop and 3rd International Conference of Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria (EHOAN) which will hold in Asaba, Delta State.

The event with the theme: “Environmental Health – A Critical Intervention Measures For Public Health In Global Pandemic,” which will hold at Lamibele Hall, opposite Government House, Asaba from December 1 to 5, is considered timely in the light of the resurgence of COVID – 19 pandemic across the globe and its inevitable challenges in public health administration in Nigeria.

Dignitaries expected during the occasion include, Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the Chief Host and the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Special Guest of Honour.

 

The National President of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) Dr. Akingbehin Samuel expressed delight that the event which serves as an Elective Congress of the association is holding after postponements due to COVID – 19 lockdown and the recent ENDSARS protests in the country.

He said: “Asaba 2020 is a reality and we are glad it is taking place. We are expecting it to be another gathering of environmental health scholars, public health practitioners and other critical stakeholders.

“Environmental health with its components remains the most effective tool in the prevention of diseases, promotion of health and prolonging of lives.

“It affords great socio-economic benefits globally. The need to prioritise environmental health by all levels of government in Nigeria and the world over is inevitable.”

He further explained that the International Conference, aside providing a desirable opportunity to professionals to analyse and proffer practicable solutions to emerging environmental health challenges, is also a consolidation of EHOAN’s achievements in the administration of environmental health practices in the country.

SCHOOLS RESUMPTION: 181 STUDENTS, STAFF CONTRACT COVID-19 IN LAGOS PRIVATE SCHOOL

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said that 181 students and members of staff of a private boarding school located in the Lekki area of Lagos State have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement from the Ministry of Health, Abayomi said the positive cases were detected during surveillance and case investigation in the school.

The statement titled, “Lagos confirms COVID-19 infection in a private school”, was signed by the Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.

The statement quoted the commissioner as saying that “181 students and staff members of a private school located in a suburb of Lekki tested positive to COVID19 during surveillance and case investigation in the school. There are 441 students and staff in the school”.

Giving details of the investigation, Abayomi explained that “a 14-year-old SS1 female student fell ill on the 3rd of October and was sent home after receiving first aid at the school”.

He added that “the student subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday 6th of October in one of the accredited private labs in Lagos”.

“There is a total lockdown and movement restriction in the school with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Pillar of the EOC and Ibeju-Lekki LGA State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) reporting at the school daily to conduct further investigation while positive students and staff have been isolated on the premises and given the COVID-19 home-care treatment packs and are being monitored in isolation within the school premises,” Abayomi added.