The Abia State Inter-ministerial Committee on COVID-19 said it has taking the unprecedented step of publishing the pictures of Emmanuel Ononiwu taken from his place of isolation at Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Amachara so as to remove any possible doubt.
The step, according to the Information Commissioner, Chief John Okiyi Kalu,was taken medical privacy issues, due to the public interest generated by his ill advised personal decision to bolt from a holding location after testing positive to COVID-19.
He added that it is of overriding public interest that “we pictorially confirm he is in medical isolation and no longer constitutes a public health risk.”
“Mr Ononiwu is being well taken care of and will not suffer any further consequences for his initial lack of good judgement which possibly happened because he was scared. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has personally directed the medical management team of the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 to avail him of the best possible care with a view to ensuring that he recovers fully as soon as possible,” said Kalu.
Continuing, he said, “We strongly urge our people to end stigmatization of COVID-19 patients as that act is mostly responsible for the fear to report suspected cases and accept test results. COVID-19 is not a death sentence and many are recovering from it including 5 persons already discharged from our Isolation center located at Amachara and two others discharged from FMC Umuahia.
“Members of our medical response team are well trained to handle issues around the disease from sample collection all the way through patients’ management to full recovery. Most importantly, God is faithful to the good people of Abia State and will see us through this trying period and going forward.”
He reiterated that “COVID-19 is REAL but you can help protect yourself and family members by abiding by all the issued guidelines including compulsory wearing of face mask before leaving your home, washing your hands regularly with soap under running water and maintaining social distance.”