NewsProbe News from Nigeria and Around the world
Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Dr. Jane Ezeonu, a public health physician with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi and consultant to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has bagged Rotary International Volunteer Service Award for her dogged fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic in Anambra state.
The meritorious award which she described as Alice in wonderland, was bestowed on her in recognition of her contributions and efforts in COVID-19 prevention and other infectious diseases in the state.
The award which was conferred on her at Olivia Montage hotel Awka during the installation ceremony of the 19th president of the Rotary Club of Awka GRA Rotarian Izunna Somadina Okwelogu, was a moral support and source of encouragement to the medical expert as she assured all and sundry that she would redouble her efforts in carrying out public health activities especially as it concerns volunteer services.
Ezeonu said, “What I have on the award I received is an outstanding performance in COVID-19 response. The president told me that Rotary Club of Awka GRA has fished me out for this recognition because they are pleased with my contributions in the fight against COVID-19; Not just in Anambra state but several other states in Nigeria.”
Although she pointed out that the hazards associated with COVID-19 prevention were not the usual hazards inherent in familiar ailments, she emphasized that the problems posed by the coronavirus infection has to do with droplet transmissions which according to her, made the disease far more dangerous than other infectious diseases.
She further noted that the need for quick intervention against COVID-19 was what motivated her into rendering humanitarian services as a National Consultant on Infection Prevention and Control to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, stressing that research has proven that the most effective way to fight diseases was through infection prevention and control strategies.
Dr. Ezeonu said she was amongst the 4-member group sent by NCDC to Anambra state in April this year when the state recorded its index case.
She also informed that the Nigerian Medical Association Anambra state branch set up an infection prevention and control taskforce where she was the chairman of the taskforce and training was organised for health workers on disease prevention and control.
For the emphasis on post COVID-19 era, the public health physician however advised that it was pertinent for all to realise that the country was currently in a recession occasioned by the novel coronavirus disease and there was need to intensify prevention and control mechanisms especially to stem the tide of community transmissions of COVID-19 in Anambra state.
