Dangote Industries Limited has announced that one of its contract staff has been isolated over concerns that he may be infected with the deadly Coronavirus.
In a statement on Tuesday, the company revealed that one Akhil Kunyil, an Indian national, exhibited symptoms of the virus and was immediately quarantined at the mainland hospital in Yaba, Lagos. The statement read;
“The attention of the management of Dangote Industries Limited has been drawn to a flash report of a suspected case of personnel currently being kept in isolation at the Mainland hospital, Yaba, Lagos.”
“We will like to state that an Indian national who is a staff of Onshore Construction Company-a mechanical, electrical and instrumentation contracting firm that specializes in fertilizer construction reported at the Site clinic complaining of high temperature and fever.”
“His complaint triggered our Protocols which necessitated further screening and isolation immediately. Mr Akhil Kunyil, of the Health and Safety Environment of the Onshore Company, reported the development to the management following which local authorities were contacted.
“The patient was immediately conveyed to the Lagos Mainland Hospital Center, where he is currently being isolated and undergoing tests.”
“As an organisation, we have taken the following stringent proactive measures across our entire group since mid- January 2020:
– Development of a comprehensive risk identification, control priotization and escalation plan.
– Identification and retention of a competent team of medical consultants
– Travel ban for all employees to/from high-risk countries as per W.H.O publications of country exposures
– Travel tracking of all employees and contractors staff arriving/leaving Nigeria and obligations for completion of medical checks to validate health status
– Implementation of use of Thermal cameras across our various sites as well as infrared thermometers checking in smaller office locations
– Identification and creation where applicable of holding, isolation and quarantine areas
– Implementation of use of sanitizers across all locations: sites and offices
– Multiple and continuous awareness campaigns on preventative measures to be taken (both electronic and physical i.e. posters, public announcements)
“The above measures are continually updated as the situation globally evolves and we will continue to do so. The welfare of our employees and the nation as a whole remains our utmost priority.”
