Edo state govt boosts COVID-19 response as Obaseki commissions 4th molecular laboratory- Edo state has gotten its fourth coronavirus molecular laboratory - The move is aimed at boosting the testing capacity for the virus in the state and to contain the pandemic - Governor Godwin Obaseki commissioned the privately-owned facility on Friday, August 28 PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! The Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, August 28, commissioned the fourth coronavirus molecular laboratory to boost testing capacity for the disease in the state and to contain the pandemic. Commissioning the testing facility at Lily Hospital in Benin city, the governor said the laboratory is the first privately owned PCR laboratory in the south-south region of the country. He noted that several investments have continued to flood the state following the conducive environment created in the state by his government. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Read also Coronavirus: Traders reveal hike in cost of food items as Easter beckons His words: “Government can't be in competition with private businesses as healthcare is both an economic and social good. “As government, we will continue to encourage private people to come and invest in healthcare in Edo state. Our goal is to make Edo state the healthcare hub of this region. Our emphasis as a government is on primary healthcare. “The bulk of resources spent on healthcare would be spent in ensuring that there is one healthcare centre within a 5-to-10km radius of where you live and it will deal with basic illnesses and help citizens understand their health status.” The governor further revealed that his administration will invest in specialised care centres, adding that the Edo Specialist Hospital will be expanded with the help and support of the private sector. "We are rebuilding the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, which we are currently using as an isolation centre. By the end of the pandemic, that hospital will be converted to a full-scale specialist hospital. Read also Coronavirus: Engaging activities you can do to avoid boredom following the stay at home order "We will similarly build two such hospitals in the other two senatorial districts of the state,” he stated. Legit.ng had earlier reported that the World Bank has approved a $75 million facility to support Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision of holistically revamping Edo state’s education sector. Governor Obaseki made the disclosure on Thursday, August 27, during his re-election campaign rally in Usen, Ovia South West local government area of Edo state. The governor assured that the money which was approved by the World Bank board on Wednesday, August 26, will be utilised to change the face of education in Edo and Nigeria for the next three years. Meanwhile, the re-election bid of Governor Obaseki got a major boost on Friday, August 21, as the candidate of the Accord Party in the forthcoming polls, Mr Godday Idahosa, collapsed his structure into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared his support for the governor. Read also Kogi guber: Huge number of APC aspirants is due to my efforts, says Gov Bello Idahosa announced his defection at PDP wards 8 and 9 campaign rally in Uhiele, Esan West local government area of Edo state, citing the leadership acumen of Governor Obaseki as part of the reasons for his defection. Primate Ayodele: Oshiomhole should stop fighting God's project | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Edo state has gotten its fourth coronavirus molecular laboratory - The move is aimed at boosting the testing capacity for the virus in the state and to contain the pandemic - Governor Godwin Obaseki commissioned the privately-owned facility on Friday, August 28 PAY ATTENTION: PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng