The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, says the enabling
environment has been put in place for officials of the Port Health
Service under the Ministry of Health to carry out their duties at the
nation’s airports.
environment has been put in place for officials of the Port Health
Service under the Ministry of Health to carry out their duties at the
nation’s airports.
Speaking after a tour of the Port Health Facility at the Lagos
International Airport by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi, the International Airport Terminal Manager, Mr.Olutayo Oginni told reporters that adequate space had been provided by FAAN, for offices, screening centers and clinics for port health officials to handle suspected cases when the need arises.
International Airport by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi, the International Airport Terminal Manager, Mr.Olutayo Oginni told reporters that adequate space had been provided by FAAN, for offices, screening centers and clinics for port health officials to handle suspected cases when the need arises.
Mr. oginni noted that FAAN had also assisted the port health with some
equipment required to adequately cater to the needs of passengers.
equipment required to adequately cater to the needs of passengers.
“We collaborate with them on the issue of provision of clinic space
and every other thing they require of us. At the arrival hall, we have
two different facility for them there, the secondary screening place,
the administrative office and they have a permanent clinic at our
E-arrival we made sure we provided the enabling environment and equipment they need in that place”.
and every other thing they require of us. At the arrival hall, we have
two different facility for them there, the secondary screening place,
the administrative office and they have a permanent clinic at our
E-arrival we made sure we provided the enabling environment and equipment they need in that place”.
He stated that provision was also made for an isolation clinic on the
airside where suspected passenger on arrival are taken for thorough
examination, adding that all the necessary needs of the port health
had been provided.
airside where suspected passenger on arrival are taken for thorough
examination, adding that all the necessary needs of the port health
had been provided.
The Airport terminal Manager confirmed that the port health have
equipment at the two points of entries from the avio-bridge in the E
and D arrivals in the terminal for the screening of passengers, he
however noted that the equipment needed to be upgraded.
equipment at the two points of entries from the avio-bridge in the E
and D arrivals in the terminal for the screening of passengers, he
however noted that the equipment needed to be upgraded.
“There is need on their part for the upgrading of all those equipment”.
After the inspection visit, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Health, Abdullahi Mashi promised that the facilities in the port
health at the airport would be upgraded and well-equipped to help
officials do their job well.
Health, Abdullahi Mashi promised that the facilities in the port
health at the airport would be upgraded and well-equipped to help
officials do their job well.
He explained that his visit was to witness firsthand the level of preparedness and response level of the port health in case there were
issues to address.
issues to address.
“Since I assumed duties I have never been to any port health facility, so it is an opportunity for me to be in Lagos access their level of preparedness, their level of response in case there is any issue to address”.
During the inspection, the challenges the port health services grapple with at the airport as listed by the Head, Port Health Services, Dr. Alex Okoh include inadequate personnel, namely, doctors and nurses, drivers for their two ambulances, oxygen among others.
The Permanent Secretary promised that the ministry would look into the matter urgently.
“I assure you we will do something about it when we get back”.
Speaking on the recent alleged passenger with the Ebola symptoms, Mashi said there was no curse for alarm, adding that after thorough laboratory tests, the passenger was confirm negative.
