NCDC committed to building COVID-19 treatment centre at LUTH −Director-General

*Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa states the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control relies on a partnership with institutions like the Lagos University Teaching Hospital to help detect emergencies and look after COVID-19 patients in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has received approval to construct a three-storey COVID treatment centre at at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, with funds accessed from the World Bank.

Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of NCDC, who disclosed this development at the weekend said that the project was part of its partnership with the hospital in the areas of health emergency response.

Adetifa states this while on a formal visit to LUTH, and pledged the NCDC’s official relationship with LUTH is very important as one of the largest and foremost Federal Government tertiary health institutions in Lagos.

The NCDC Chief, who pledged the health regulatory agency’s commitment to constructing the long-awaited centre, said they are waiting for the final approval from World Bank on the terms and references, including the project designs.

Why construction has not started

In respect of reasons why actual construction has not commenced at LUTH, he said: “We are at the moment on the terms of reference for one of the requirements that are required to begin to process and submit to the world bank, which includes the construction of safety health management class and obviously that is different, the space is different and a beat more diligence is required for construction drawing, designs and bill of quantities.

“All of these have been put together; but we are just waiting for the World Bank also to approve all of that and we move on to the next level.”

The NCDC is using the World Bank fund under their care, said he.

Adetifa assured the LUTH Management though the project is delayed, it would be actualised.

Adetifa added the NCDC relies on a partnership with institutions like LUTH to help detect emergencies and look after COVID-19 patients in Nigeria.