Medical Practitioners have been called open to increase their level of suspicion and identification of COVID-19 symptoms which are primary in the treatment and containment of the spreading of the viral disease.

Anambra State Commissioner for Health Dr Vincent Okpala made the call during the State Government’s Covid-19 update with the leadership of Faith -based hospitals across the State in Awka.

The programme organized by the Ministry of Health was aimed at enhancing the partnerships between the hospitals and the government to ensure improved healthcare delivery for Ndi Anambra.

The move is hinged on the mixed health system which promotes the development of policies that benefit public and private health sectors.

The Health Commissioner, stressed  that early treatment of the disease within two days of contraction has a higher percentage level of preventing the death of a patient, thus the need for Covid-19 tests to be conducted immediately a symptom is identified.

He stated that if the war against Covid-19 in the State must be won which at the moment stands at eight-point-one percent positivity rate against one-point-two percent last year, medical personnel must be one step ahead in the management and control of the disease as well as other efforts in sensitization and knowledge sharing.

He further announced that all hospitals in the state must be ready to begin Covid-19 treatment which  guidelines will soon be released by the state government.

The Commissioner for Health highlighted that close to seventy-five percent of health care services are given by privately owned hospitals which is also made up of faith- based hospitals, therefore the need as, critical stakeholders in the health sector, to properly involve them in the making of health policies and implementation.

Lectures on critical and emerging issues in Covid-19 prevention, management and control by the Infection, Prevention and Control Focal Person of the State Ministry of Health, Dr Kenneth Nwokolo also featured at the Update session.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Anambra State, Mr. Nwabueze Nwankwo and representatives of African Centre for Disease Control were also present at the interactive session.