From Yakubu Busari Jos
Prof Izam
The Vice Chancellor Plateau State University, Bokkos Prof Yohana Izam has disclosed his administration’s readiness to reposition the health sector of the university towards addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof Izam stated this during an interactive session with our medium at his residence, Jos North Local Government Council of Plateau state on Thursday
He said, “when I came on board as the Vice Chancellor of PLASU, I noticed the grave shortfall in healthcare delivery, we then began to put in place measures towards guaranteeing the medical needs of students, staff including visitors coming into the university campus “
According to him, the budgetary intervention of N50 million to Plateau State University, Bokkos by Plateau State Government as Covid -19 Response Funds, when realised will boost the management’s efforts to reform the university health care system.
In a bid to guarantee the safety of staff, students and visitors to the University, the VC appreciated the efforts of university COVID-19 19 team for response strategies. Recently safety equipment and protocols through the committee’s recommendations were unveiled.
Speaking further on the university Senate building project, Prof Izam lauded funding partners as well as facilitation efforts of the state government which brought about the latest of iconic projects on the campus.”The site of the Senate building, being the highest point, was strategically chosen to provide a rallying point for other buildings thereby redefining the physical landscape.
Prof Izam commended Governor Simon Lalong for tremendous support without which the university might not have been selected along five other universities nationwide for deployment of Tetfund high impact projects 2019.
Yohana Izam stressed that COVID-19 pandemic had affected the Plateau state university, Bokkos because the education sector is one of the most badly hit by the development because of the age long tradition of teaching and learning in congregations.
However ,in preparation for possible reopening we have unveiled some specific measures including the provision of a refurbished refuse collection vehicle, an incinerator, infrared forehead thermometers, touch free sanitizer dispensers, auto soap dispensers, wash hand basins and other safety facilities acquired by the COVID 19 Hygiene and Sanitation Committee.
Professor Izam said with the COVID 19 pandemic which is now ravaging the nations institutions and societies, the University needs to adapt to the new normal way of adhering to all safety measures in preparatory to resumption of our students in due course.
He maintained that the revitalization of the weekly sanitation exercise in the University earlier declared to hold on every Friday will reinforce the University’s declared war against all forms of refuse on the campus and directed the works department and environment unit to ensure strict adherence to the directive.
Also to avoid large congregation, we prioritize attendance time and stagger this to avoid over crowded gathering of staff in offices.
He explained that the current health management efforts of the university resulted in the upgrading of the health centre under the supervision of a medical director.
“We are soon to commission the health centre of the university earlier scheduled during the combined convocation ceremony, which couldn’t hold with the outbreak of Corona Virus. Prof Izam reiterated that ,the university has already acquired a brand new Ambulance which the management has already taken delivery of, with state of the art laboratory equipments being expected; plan for a workshop and retraining of staff to meet up the operational demands of the new health centre are underway.
On the new protocols, the Vice Chancellor reaffirmed, “We have put in place a number of protocols two weeks ago for the new normal to include, hand sanitizers, regular hand washing , testing of temperature, use of facemask to prevent spread among others.
