I didn't see my test result for COVID-19 - Raymond Dokpesi Jnr

The chairman of DAAR Communications Pls, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr has said that he didn't see the test result after he was pronounced positive for COVID-19.

Dokpesi was discharged from the isolation center in Abuja a few hours after his father, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and two children were discharged.

Thanking God for surviving the ordeal, he took to social media to share his experience at the isolation center.

He wrote: “My sojourn at the Gwagwalada isolation centre was an eye-opening experience which imbued me with confidence in the unabated enthusiasm and commitment of Nigerian public health workers to serve and ensure the welfare of each of their patients.

“It was also an exposé into the practical limitations of the system in ensuring even with best intentions that public health objectives in the face of COVID-19 are achieved and sustained.

“With praise and glory to Almighty God, I started feeling immediate improvement in my wellbeing once the combination of azithromycin, chloroquine and zinc were administered to me by Wednesday, 29th April, 2020. My senses of smell and taste which were lost since the time I arrived at the facility were restored by Friday, 1st May, 2020. All my vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation improved and have consistently shown excellent readings since. The oxygen machine which was brought to my room became redundant.”

Expressing disappointment at not being given any documentary record to show that he was COVID-19 positive, he said:

“Whilst I can attest to my improvement in physical health and wellbeing, I regret to say that since my initial test to date, I have never seen any documentary evidence of any test result,” he stated.

“I take it in trust and good faith that the NCDC pronounced me COVID-19 positive and that they have now also pronounced me COVID-negative. I will appreciate it if the documentary records of the various tests on me and members of my family are made available for our medical records.

“Unless a spotlight is beamed on our testing facilities, capacity and documentation there is an immediate risk that patients will lose confidence in the statements of public healthcare providers, but more significantly, we will fail to move the needle forward in the battle against COVID-19 itself.”

He went on to appreciate the staff of DAAR Communications, friends and well-wisher “who prayed, fasted, held vigils and sent messages to me, my family and my known associates”.

“Your love, prayers and well wishes have humbled me and were a source of strength and inspiration to me at the very darkest moments of my life,” he added.