Coronavirus Pandemic
A Public Health Consultant, Dr. Adegboyega Oyefabi, has urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility toward reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Oyefabi, the Team Lead, Infectious Disease Control Centre in Kaduna State, made the call through a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
He said that taking personal responsibility and community ownership were strategies very crucial to maintaining a balance between health and economic activities during an epidemic.
Oyefabi, who practices at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State University, said: “Everyone should ensure personal and environmental hygiene, social distancing, wearing of face masks, hand and respiratory hygiene.
“If people can ensure that these measures are followed appropriately, we would be able to reduce the spread of the virus and end the disease in the country.”
He also advised Nigerians to take responsibility by avoiding overcrowding in facilities and in public transport.
“We have seen situations whereby some nefarious transporters convey more than their required passengers, upon approaching a police checkpoint, they instruct some passengers to alight and walk across.
“This is not right; we have to take responsibility by refusing to participate in such acts, as it exposes us to danger,” he said.
Oyefabi said that the major challenge inhibiting COVID-19 response in the state and Nigeria was prejudice and disbelief.
According to him, many people still believe that COVID-19 is not real, and that the government is trying to use it to make money.
“To address this challenge in Kaduna State, we engage with community members so as to sensitise them on the reality of COVID-19.
“Now, we use the testimonies of COVID-19 survivors to disabuse people’s mind,” he said.
The physician noted that the state was engaging in active surveillance by going to various communities with mobile trucks to conduct tests.
According to him, this has led to early detection and treatment of cases in most communities, adding that there were two isolation centres and four laboratories in the state.
Oyefabi added that the state does the home-based treatment for patients that were asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, under the strict supervision of dedicated healthcare workers.
He disclosed that people within the age bracket of 20 to 39 were the most affected population, while more males were infected with the virus than their female counterparts.
Oyefabi, however, advised citizens to ensure the wearing of face masks and physical distancing toward reducing their risks of contracting and spreading the virus. (NAN)
– Jul. 13, 2020 @ 14:35 GMT |
Tags: Expert urges Nigerians Take personal responsibility toward reducing spread of COVID-19
