Considering the fact that Nigeria as it is currently run does not have the capacity to build a 1000 bed hospital in just days. It is imperative to identify already existing resources that can be used to cater for thousands of infected patients in a potential outbreak.
Amazingly, in terms of structure, some enclosed Nigerian buildings may prove so useful for a whole number of reasons. Personally, I have always argued that government should work with churches and incorporate their facilities with NEMA as potential temporal facilities to accommodate large numbers of people during intense national crisis. Of course, there’s need for government to build her own facilities as the Churches built theirs for a reason.
But with the Covid19 potential outbreak, Churches are not going to be operational for the large part. So government should begin initiating contacts with churches to see if their facilities are suitable for makeshift hospitals in case of a potential outbreak.
1st: Faith Tabernacle Ota:
Faith Tabernacle Ota is one of the largest free span structure currently existing anywhere in the world. Worth billions of Naira. The facility can accommodate 53,000 worshippers at any given time. It can therefore accommodate between 3,000 – 3,500 beds. With it being fully Air conditioned, it is independent of external ventilation.
Another feature which makes it an ideal place for mass treatment of potential infected patients from South West Nigeria is that it is run by an independent power plant with a 21 year record of having 24/7 electricity.
Lastly, a two minutes drive eastward into the Church’s university is one of the country’s most viable molecular and virology laboratories, which can be used to test patients.
2. Glory Dome, Airport Road, Abuja:
The Dunamis Church facility in Abuja is the largest church facility for Sunday worship in the world. Commissioned months ago, the facility houses over 100,000 worshippers every Sunday. This can serve as a potential facility to house 3,000 – 5, 000 infected patients bed. The facility also has her own independent power for 24/7 electricity and a ventilation system run on Air conditioning.
3. Finger Of God Cathedral, Porth Harcourt, Nigeria
The Finger of God Cathedral is the upcoming largest cathedral in the world designed to house 120,000 worshippers. It is being built with an enclosed air condition system. Also, the Finger of God is segregated into multiple arms and can be used to segregate patients according to their severity of infection.
Like Glory Dome and Faith Tabernacle it will most likely run on independent power also. And its construction can be sped up with Government funding to serve as a treatment zone for about 5,000 – 7,000 people in South South/South East Zones.
Olalekan Ajimoti – Blogger, Content Writer, and Digital Marketer helping brands and retailers build 8-figure e-commerce since 2016.
As a corporate trainer, brand communications expert, and brand consultant, I help people start, stay and grow in business leveraging digital skills and traditional expertise.
