Realnews reports that Nigeria has so far recorded 152,074 covid-19 cases out of the 1,489,103 tests, and has lost a total of 1,839 persons to the disease. However, recently, only 521 new cases and eight deaths have been recorded in 20 states.
‘’This trend in reduction compared with global observations of seeming decline in COVID-19 cases, signifies that the second wave of the virus may be receding. There are, however, no conclusions yet and certainly not declaring a victory but rather watching the development as they unfold internationally, ready to make use of comparative advantages that may emerge,’’ he said.
According to the minister, COVID-19 disease can deteriorate suddenly and rapidly, which can result in life-threatening severity but can be managed if presented early enough. He also reiterated the ministry’s efforts in intensifying the monitoring of COVID-19 positive cases, especially those that can self isolate. He also advised those in home base care to report to their hospitals or case manager, immediately they begin to experience symptoms or a worsening condition.
‘’Findings from supportive supervision of treatment centers indicate that vulnerable ‘at risk’ persons are among those who are reluctant to accept hospital admissions, especially if they have no severe symptoms. It is important to follow medical advice and comply with directives”. he said.
He noted that the Nigerian government is better positioned to combat the pandemic today more than it was at the outset of the outbreak in the country.
‘’There is sufficient bed space in treatment centers around the country as bed occupancy at isolation and treatment centers shows only a 36 percent rate of occupancy. The NCDC is always ready to redistribute from hospitals with a higher burden to those with lower burdens if the need arises,’’ he said.
He said that increased oxygen requirement in some treatment centers in the past weeks has been addressed by the federal ministry of health, FMH.
According to the minister, ‘’the FMH will ensure that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, which is one of the most affected centers, will be the first-line beneficiary of an enlarged oxygen generation plant to assure a production capacity of up to 200 cylinders/day’’.
On the issues of vaccines, he said that NAFDAC has issued the emergency authorization and use of the AstraZeneca vaccine by the Serum Institute of India. This vaccine has in turn been forwarded to the COVAX facility secretariat and will be delivered by the end of February 2021.
‘’I have issued the required indemnification on behalf of the government of Nigeria, which clears the way for delivery of the first batch by the end of this month. The NPHCDA has made detailed preparations to hit the ground running and commence immunization as soon as the vaccines are delivered by Covax Storage. NAFDAC sampling of vaccines and distribution and operation have been developed, registration has been developed for frontline health workers, including laboratory staff,’’ he said.
He said that Nigeria was very much aware of the large-scale fraud and the availability of counterfeit vaccines that are already in circulation and are ready to ensure that Nigeria and Nigerians do not fall victims to this scheme. Our vaccine needs for this year are virtually fully satisfied by multilateral and bilateral original manufacturer sources, he said.
Ehanire said that private importers are advised to stay off the COVID-19 vaccine for now as the ministry does not intend to involve private dealers both in the importations and the administration of the vaccine as they will be fully responsible for complications that may arise from such unauthorized importation and or administration.
“The Ministry of Health, for now, does not intend to procure vaccines from private importers and no vaccine will be allowed into the country unless they are certified by NAFDAC. The need to involve the private sector will first be studied by the vaccine coordinating committee and NPHCDA, which has the mandate to administer vaccines in Nigeria. We must, however, remember that the COVID-19 vaccine is a novel vaccine with properties that are still under study. There may be effects during administration, for which the government is ready to issue an indemnification and take responsibility which will not cover the vaccines imported or administered privately’,’ he said.
The minister, however, thanked the private sector for their support in COVID-19 vaccine financing. And promised that these funds would be exclusively channeled through the account that has been opened with the Afrexim Bank in Addis Ababa specifically for this purpose.
While many countries continue to battle with the issues of the COVID-19 pandemics, Guinea Bissau is combating an additional outbreak of the Ebola virus disease.”
While the West Africa Health Organization, WAHO, continues to intensify her efforts in ensuring that the deadly virus is contained in the Republic of Guinea and does not spread to other countries, Ehanire has assured Nigerians that the government is closely monitoring the disease through the ECOWAS with regards to checking the movements of people.
‘’Our port health service officers are on high alert to step up border surveillance of travelers arriving by air or overland from destinations around the outbreak country to avoid disease importation,’’ he said.
Realnews reports that the National Center for Disease Control and every other body, including the private stakeholders involved in the fight against the corona-virus pandemic has been highly commended by Nigerians, especially in the areas of public sensitization about the virus and the swift response of the government in handling diseases outbreak.
– Feb. 23, 2021 @ 15:48 GMT /
