Medication centre for #COVID-19 victims close to accomplishment

April 25, 2020; Addis Ababa: The government backed medication centre at the Millennium hall here in Addis Ababa, for the victims of #COVID-19 virus, is close to accomplishment.

This was disclosed by Dr Ismael Shemsedin, Medical Director of the centre, to the members of the Enquiry Board of the National State of Emergency during the recent visit they paid to the arena.

The centre displayed 1 thousand medical beds for patients who would probably be admitted along with 28 additional ICU beds with 17 ventilators, Dr Ismael explained. The centre has got a distinct kitchen detached from the patient’s presence and laboratory and laundry units as well, the Dr added.

“The centre also occupies a space for additional 1 thousand medical admissions in case the pandemic aggravates. A corridor space is also designed for patients to walk and recreate themselves. In general, the patient’s room has got about six doors to get in and out” according to the Medical Director.

Well, the patients won’t be allowed to interact with their ties and to tackle that shortcoming, he said; the centre is processing the procurement of tablets and electronic gadgets for Skype communication. In order to remain them up-to-date with the rest of the world, other electronic devices like TV’s will also be available to the patients, Dr Ismael elaborated.

The extreme efforts exerted for the centre to enable it meet the international standard will be accompanied by multitudes of ventilation equipments, hand-washing provisions and about 70 latrines; the Dr promised. The centre is also thinking of nearby hotels in which the Drs rest and communicate using about 30 walkie-talkies, he clarified.

Hence, to perform all its endeavours as per the plan, the centre gathered best practitioners from where they were working as to the disclosure made by Dr Ismael to the Board Members.

Though the huge premises of the Millennium hall has already pipelines, the centre hasn’t yet connected to the existing infrastructure of water provision, according to the Medical Director.

Ato Petros Woldesenbet, Chairman of the Board, appreciated all the hitherto efforts exerted by the centre to meet the upcoming consequences of the pandemic. He said; the administrative regions of the country shall grab lessons from what the centre has been doing so far. For best results, he recommended, standing united will be helpful. The Chairman promised to the centre, the Board will try to address the shortfalls of the centre to the appropriate bodies.

Board members in general appreciated the accomplishment undergone by the centre, so far.

Translated by Asrat Addisu                                                  

House writer