PRESS RELEASES (193)
FMoH COVID-19 Accreditation Committee Inspects Private, Public Treatment Centres
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has disclosed that FMoH COVID-19 Accreditation Committee has begun the inspection of public and private treatment centres. This he said is in accordance to strict infectious disease management protocols, in order to increase bed capacity for COVID-19 isolation and treatment nationwide and also to protect health workers from harm.
The Minister revealed this at the Presidential Task Force briefing, where he confirmed that Nigeria has recorded 288 COVID-19 cases today, 10th April 2020. He said that “there are 14 new confirmed cases from two states, Lagos 13 and Delta 1”. He stated that Lagos remains the epicenter with 158 cases, FCT 54, 20 in Osun, 12 in Edo, 11 in Oyo, 8 in Bauchi, 5 each in Akwa-Ibom and Kaduna, 4 in Ogun, 2 each in Delta, Enugu, Ekiti, Kwara and Rivers state and one each in Benue, Kastina and Ondo.
Health Minister stated that there would be an inspection and accreditation tour to all states starting with those that have active COVID-19 cases. The Minister said that the bed space expansion will start with federal tertiary hospitals. He hinted also that Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) had commenced operation with a 60-bed isolation centre.
Dr. Ehanire informed that the Federal Ministry of Heath through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control [NCDC], has continued to increase testing capacity for COVID-19. He said there are 9 laboratories capable of testing for COVID-19. He stated that there are 2 In Abuja: the National Reference Laboratory[NRL], Gaduwa and the Defence Reference Laboratory, Mogadishu, Abuja; 3 in Lagos: the NCDC Virology Laboratory in LUTH, the Lagos State Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory, and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research [NIMR]. Others are, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State; Virology Laboratory of UCH, Oyo State; Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki [FETHA], Ebonyi State; and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases [ACEGID], Osun State. He stated that additional laboratories in Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jos and Sokoto States are set to come online imminently.
Health Minister emphasized that NCDC has continued to support response activities and preparations in all states by timely deployment of Rapid Response Team to every outbreak state and had improved contact tracing, case management, risk communication and infection, prevention and control [IPC] measures. He indicated that providing training guidelines and personal protective equipment [PPE] has enhanced capacity and understanding of frontline workers for this novel disease.
Further speaking the Minister re-stated that a 16-ton of medical commodities and equipment worth USD$1.5 million arrived Abuja on Wednesday from Beijing, China. The equipment includes 50 ventilators and an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO] machine, used in worst case scenarios of COVID-19 treatment when a ventilator is no longer effective. The Minister hinted that this ECMO machine, whose export is restricted by many countries, may be the first and only one in Nigeria. He made known that the 15 member team of medical and technical advisers from china were screened and tested for COVID-19 before departing their country but also quarantined for 14 days. He stated also that Nigeria medical teams will begin scientific engagement with them in a few days via video conference, while they are quarantined. The Minister noted that all designated isolation and treatment centres have adequate supplies to manage cases, as there are no shortages of PPE for health workers. He said that “there is a limited supply of consumables in the market due to the increased global demand and decreased production due to public health crisis. We are, however, developing in-country manufacturing capability. Citizens should use the limited supply judiciously and bear in mind that this should not be a time of hoarding, price gouging and profiteering”. Stating also that, health workers should have priority in rationing of commodities because they are more at risk.
Federal Ministry of Health has engaged the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria [MAN] and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria [PMGMAN] to scale-up local capacity and seek innovative solutions. FMoH had also met with the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria [AGPMPN] and the Guild of Medical Directors to discuss collaboration between private medical practitioners and government in the COVID-19 national response. The Minister encouraged private practitioners to uphold the role in educating the public and protecting other patients and frontline workers by having a high index of suspicion to identify, advice and refer suspected cases to designated COVID-19 management facilities for testing, according to NCDC guidelines. He said also that private facilities should apply to the Federal Ministry of Health for accreditation, before engaging in treatment of COVID-19 patients, stating also that they share in the responsibility to maintain the essential and emergency services and ensure safe transfer of suspected cases by dialling the toll-free national emergency number 112, or the NCDC toll-free number 080097000010.
Dr. Ehanire stressed on;
• The importance of giving accurate and complete information of symptoms or travel history to health care workers when seeking care such as not to endanger or hinder proper diagnosis.
• Only designated treatment centres can provide safe isolation and management of COVID-19 patients, and avoid the spread of the virus to family members, friends and the public.
• All medical practitioners are reminded that that they should abstain from privately treating suspected COVID-19 cases in their homes, as they expose themselves, their loved ones, employees and patients to the infection. This is not a sickness to handle in the secret.
The Minister reiterated the importance of observing good respiratory hygiene, hand washing and social distancing while urging Nigerians to obey the stay at home order, and follow the guidelines of government. The Minister further noted that both public and private sector health workers should maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19, employ infection prevention and control [IPC] protocols and refer suspected cases to the testing sites and also visit NCDC COVID-19 websites covid19.gov.ng, for updated information. No citizen should be sent away without advice. He advised against rumour mongering, which he said creates needless fear and restiveness in the society.
The Honourable Minister of Health said that, “While the Government of Nigeria is encouraged by the commendation from the World Health Organization and the UN, we will not relax because we still need to further our strategy and sharpen our processes to face the coronavirus challenge, the magnitude of which we cannot guess”.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, has confirmed 254 recorded cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. He affirmed this at the Presidential Task Force Briefing on 8th April, 2020, stating that Lagos remained the epicenter with 130, 50 cases in FCT, 20 in Osun, 11 in Edo, 11 in Oyo, 6 in Bauchi, 5 each in Akwa Ibom and Kaduna, 4 in Ogun, 2 each in Enugu, Ekiti, Kwara and Rivers and 1 each in Benue, Delta, Katsina and Ondo. The increase in Osun he said was due to the arrival of Nigerians to that state from ECOWAS countries. He also said that several group of Nigerians had made similar intentions known to return.
The Minister of State, Health, revealed that 44 had been discharged from treatment of which 7 are from the UATH centre and 6 corona related fatalities, adding that there are presently 204 cases of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. Dr. Mamora informed that, there are nine laboratories for testing COVID-19 that will be augmented over time by other laboratories in the public and private sector.
The Hon Minister of State, Health commended the efforts of the Lagos State government during their visit by the Presidential Task Force in their preparedness and response in the state, with infection control compliant isolation centres and aggressive community surveillance; he encouraged other governors to prepare in the same way. Having received the COVID-19 starter packs and health trained worker, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) had commenced operation of a 60 bed isolation centre, he also hinted.
As the global community commemorates the World Health Day, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, thanked health workers for their commitment, hard work and sacrifice in the response to this pandemic. He said, “Through training, provision of guidelines and personal protective equipment, we continue to enhance the understanding and capacity of our frontline workers for this novel disease.”
Further speaking , he urged all health workers to apply infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols always and maintain a high suspicion for COVID-19, while taking into cognizance resources on NCDC COVID-19 website, covid19.ncdc.gov.ng including national case definition guidelines which are constantly been updated. “Your well- being is a priority to us, and we cannot thank you enough for the work that you do in protecting the health of Nigerians,” he said.
The Hon Min of State, Health advised citizens against giving false information of symptoms or travel history to health workers, when seeking care, at this critical time. Doing so he said, puts the health professionals at risk of infection and deprives them of comprehensive information to properly diagnose and manage illness. The Minister insisted that those who tested positive must report to designated treatment centre for self-isolation and care, even if they feel well, because the danger of this disease is that those who do not have any symptoms are still as infectious as those with symptoms and need to be isolated, for the sake of their families, friends and the public. He reminded that, both public and private health facilities had been called upon not to reject patients without giving them advisory on what to do. Adding also that, all health facilities are reminded that coronavirus is an extremely dangerous pathogen, which spreads very easily. He advised also that persons suspected of such infection for treatment should not be accepted if the facility is not accredited but offers them a referral to test centres or accredited treatment centres.
Dr. Mamora made known that the Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and the Guild of Medical Directors should engage their members accordingly, stating that, unauthorized management of this disease and compromise of medical ethics could aggravate public health emergency at community level and place national security in jeopardy.
He reiterated that there are enough bed spaces in accredited hospitals to handle the present number of positive cases in Nigeria and that the Federal Ministry of Health is upgrading its capacity to transfer diagnosed COVID-19 for treatment at accredited centres. Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora thanked individual groups, corporate organizations, public and private, the health sector associations like the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria, JOHESU, civil society organizations, foreign government amongst others who had made donations and offered support in various ways to the national response.
FMoH Set To Receive Supplies, Medical Experts From China To Support Fight Against Coronavirus In Nigeria
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire on Friday, 3rd April 2020, announced, during the Presidential Task Force Media Briefing, that an 18man team of Chinese medical experts are expected to arrive Nigeria within a few days with a consignment of globally scarce medical supplies ,to augment the government’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. As of April 6th 2020 the Minister said that, Nigeria had recorded 232 positive cases of the disease, discharged 33 and recorded 5 deaths. He stated that, “We have 120 patients in Lagos State, 47 in FCT, Osun 20, Oyo 9, Edo 9, Bauchi 6, Akwa Ibom 5, Kaduna 5, Ogun 4, Enugu 2, Ekiti 2, while Ondo, Rivers and Benue have 1 each”.
Dr. Ehanire informed that, COVID-19 cases are continuously detected and treated to recovery through enhanced surveillance systems and strengthened epidemic intelligence. He added also that 5,000 samples had been tested so far, as targeted approaches are been taken to scale up the capacity.
The Minister revealed that, two additional Laboratories had been activated for COVID-19 testing at the Defence Reference Laboratory, FCT and Biosafety Level -3 Laboratory Lagos. He stated also that a Joint Continental Strategy for COVID -19 responses had been developed and an African Task Force on Coronavirus (AFCOR) had been set up, to coordinate preparedness and response efforts in the continent, this in collaboration with African Union. He assured also that Rapid Response Teams will be deployed to all affected states to support them in strengthening their preparedness and response to COVID-19.
According to Health Minister, Dr. Ehanire, the donations by the group of Chinese Companies in Nigeria, includes PPEs and other Medical consumables, with one million surgical masks for health workers and also ICU ventilators valued at over $100,000, all sourced in the face of global scarcity of these items. In addition, Chinese medical experts, comprising of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and public health managers will share their knowledge, skills and real life experience of fighting covid-19 with Nigerian personnel in strengthening management of COVID-19 cases, especially with regard to critical care, he said. He explained that this initiative would greatly build the capacity of hard working and resourceful Nigerian health workers at the fore front of fighting coronavirus. He said, the much needed PPEs and masks will protect these frontline workers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the line of duty.
The Honourable Minister expressed that, “We have a window of opportunity to strengthen our own response mechanism through lessons learnt from any country that has had the experience and can provide hands- on demonstration of dealing with the outbreak and give the Nigerian clinical workforce the opportunity to share global best practices”.
The Honourable Minister, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19 over the past 24hrs, cumulatively recording 190 confirmed cases in Nigeria, across 12 states and the FCT.
He disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force Press Briefing, today, 3rd April, 2020 stating that, there are 98 cases in Lagos State, 48 in FCT, Osun20, Oyo 8, Akwa-Ibom 5, Edo, Kaduna and Ogun, 4 each , Bauchi 3, Enugu and Ekiti 2 each, while Rivers and Benue have 1 each. He stated that the global number of COVID-19 had crossed the one million mark just 3 months after the outbreak was first reported in Wuhan, China. The Minister added that it is an indication that it is a public health challenge that must not be taken lightly.
He stated that, 30% of the cases may be indications of sustained community transmission that have incomplete epidemiological information, while 51% are imported cases and 19 are contacts of known cases. He said, ‘We have tested 3,000 samples so far in Nigeria, and working hard to scale up our capacity in a targeted approach’. He reiterated that the purposes for which the President locked down 2 States and the FCT was to ensure that incidence of positive cases could be controlled, while intensified investigations by speeding up activities to identify and isolate COVID-19 patients in these areas.
Dr. Ehanire informed that, a Coronavirus Treatment Centre Accreditation Committee was inaugurated yesterday by the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, and had begun an accreditation checklist, as well as a protocol for management of isolation centres. He added that, a list of trained health care workers had been complied to man these centres as they become operational.
Due to looming global shortages of medical supplies for response and the high demand by all countries, the Hon Minister revealed that Directors of the Federal Ministry of Health had discussed with the Federal Ministry of industry, Trade and Investments and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to explore potentials for local production of medical consumables, such as face mask, gloves, sanitizers and ventilators.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire appreciated the Chinese Government for the gifts of medical supplies from China courtesy of a group of Chinese Companies working here in Nigeria. He also commended the health workers who he said are doing a great job in case identification and management while reminding them also that routine healthcare service must continue in all hospitals, “It is important that we do not drop but continue to provide routine health services, including maternal and child health and immunization.” Only a wing of tertiary centres need to be put to use for infected patients control, he said.
The Federal Government has confirmed 174 cases of COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria, as of today, 2nd April 2020.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire disclosed this at a ministerial press briefing on COVID-19. He stated that 91 are in Lagos, 35 in FCT, 14 in Osun, 8 in Oyo, 5 in Akwa-Ibom, 4 each in Ogun, Edo, and Kaduna, 3 in Bauchi, 2 each in Enugu and Ekiti and 1 each in Rivers and Benue States. He revealed that nine persons had been discharged till date while two deaths had occurred due to severe underlying illnesses aggravated by their COVID-19 infection.
Speaking further, Dr Ehanire said “Yesterday, we had the highest number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases and we are speedily ramping up testing capacity for the disease in Nigeria” He added that, the national testing capacity is now 1,500 a day, more samples can be tested and quickly too with a turn-around time of 12-48hrs from when the samples are received. This he said is due to the addition of two laboratories to the NCDC network of molecular laboratories, the Virology Laboratory of University College Hospital Oyo State and Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), Ebonyi State.
The Minister also informed that bedding space had also been expanded in University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada and across the country and urged other states to prioritize identification of same within their states particularly tertiary hospitals. Dr Ehanire noted that all facilities where isolation and treatment of coronavirus are to be conducted will be inspected for accreditation by a team from NCDC, Federal Teaching Hospital Irrua and headed by the Hon. Commissioner for Health of Lagos State including the Office of the National Security Adviser. He hinted that facilities in Abuja are currently been inspected.
The Honorable Minister stated also that ad-hoc staff and Port Health Authority staff had been redeployed to support various areas of response at the airports and to key roads that serve as key entry and exit points.
Health Minister urged the public to stay at home as a lot of effort and structures had been put in place by government. This he encouraged will determine the success in slowing the spread of the infection in the country.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has confirmed 151 recorded cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. He stated this at a press briefing on the 1st of April 2020, saying also that 82 are in Lagos, 28 in FCT, 8 in Oyo, 14 in Osun, 4 each in Ogun and Edo, 3 in Kaduna, 2 each in Bauchi, Ekiti and Enugu and one each in Benue and Rivers States. He further affirmed that, 9 persons had been discharged and two deaths had been recorded so far. He noted also, that the age range is between 30 and 60 years as both men and women of all ages could be affected.
The Minister informed that the incubation period, that is, the time it takes for an infected person to show symptoms is 2-14 days, therefore the window of opportunity presented by the lockdown in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states is to promptly detect, isolate and effectively treat cases. This he said is important as Lagos is currently the epicenter of the outbreak in Nigeria, followed by FCT. “Our ability to achieve these three strategies in these places, will largely determine our success in slowing the spread of infection across the country”.
Dr. Ehanire disclosed that the Federal Government had continued to expand the number of isolation centres and ICUs across the country with nearly 1000 bed spaces identified in the FCT for those who may have severe complications of the disease due to being immunocompromised. These he said includes, elderly people above the age of 70 or those with underlying health conditions such as cancer, tuberculosis and HIV. He added that the national case definition had been expanded to include persons with acute respiratory illness in an area of medium or high prevalence of COVID-19. He also made known that Lagos state and Ogun state had each expanded their isolation centres and urged them to prioritize identification of these within their states particularly tertiary hospitals.
The Minister further stated that two new laboratories had been added to the NCDC network of molecular laboratories for COVID-19. These are Virology Laboratory of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State and Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), Ebonyi State. The Honourable Minister said that ad-hoc staff as well as Port Health Authority staff had been redeployed to key roads that serve as key entry and export points.
Health Minister, Dr. Osagie urged Nigerians to continue to obey all directives and measures instituted by government. He further encouraged them to continue to do the following:
• Wash hands frequently or use an alcohol based sanitizer
• Maintain social distance at least 5 feet between yourself and others
• Self isolate if you feel ill.
• Clean all frequently touched surfaces with disinfectants at least once a day
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue with your nose and mouth covered. Dispose in a covered bin and wash your hands. Alternatively sneeze into your elbow.
• Call the NCDC on 080097000010, or call the emergency number 112 or your State Ministry of Health. The emergency contacts for all States are available on www.covid19.ncdc.gov.ng
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has deployed Rapid Response Teams to affected states to support response activities, as Nigeria have recorded 51 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease COVID-19.The breakdown showed that 32 are in Lagos, 10 in FCT, 3 in Ogun and 1 each in Ekiti, Oyo, Edo, Bauchi, Osun and Rivers States.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire disclosed this at the Ministerial Press Briefing on COVID-19 held at the Ministry’s headquarters, Abuja, today March 26, 2020. He further said that, out of the 51 cases, 37 had immediate travel history, 8 were confirmed close contacts of confirmed cases and 6 have neither a recent travel history nor a known contact.
Dr Ehanire informed that two persons have been cured and discharged, one fatality has been recorded and all the 48 present active cases are clinically stable with only mild or moderate symptoms. He stated that Contact tracing to identify persons who have been in close contact with confirmed cases is on-going, while the Ministry is working closely with states and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, to review response activities and to institute measures to protect the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
The Minister further disclosed that one major item in Nigeria's disease containment strategy is social distancing, which has been repeatedly announced, as a result, directives have been issued at national and state level, to limit all large gatherings including religious, social and political gatherings, schools, events etc. Some states have put the maximum number of gatherings at 50, but a general order will be announced.
He disclosed that The NCDC communication campaign titled ‘#TakeResponsibility has kicked off. It is a call to all residents in the country to join hands and be proactive in taking greater individual and collective responsibility for the prevention and control of the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. You can join this collective effort via your social media platforms” The Minister urged individuals, businesses, professional bodies, media houses and all committed Nigerians to take ownership of this campaign by developing and communicating prevention messages around the following critical thematic areas;
● Frequent hand washing with soap under running water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer
● Coughing/sneezing into tissue and disposing properly or coughing/sneezing into your sleeve, if no tissue available.
● Avoiding crowds, large gatherings and needless physical contact
● Cleaning all surfaces frequently with disinfectants
● Getting information only from official sources and;
Self-isolating for 15 days on return from any international travel or close contact with a recently returned person. Call NCDC’s toll-free number: 080097000010 or the emergency no. 112, which we are working to link together and expand for improved speed and efficiency.
As part of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in African countries, Jack Ma Foundations China, has donated some items to the continent.
The consignment was first sent to the Headquarters of African Union (AU), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by the Jack Ma Foundation for distribution to the continent. Nigeria’s share of the consignment arrived in Abuja, yesterday night, March 24, 2020 by the Nigerian Air Force cargo plane.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdullahi Mashi Abdullazizi received the consignment in company of the Director, Port Health Services of the Ministry and Representatives of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja today March 25, 2020.
The items were inspected by the Permanent Secretary, Officials of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NCDC, Nigerian Air Force and Journalists. The Consignment includes 100,000 Masks; 9,999 Face Shield; 20,000 Test Kits and 1000 Personal Protective Equipment (Groves).
Mr. Abdullazizi disclosed that the items will be distributed to all the 36 states of the federation and FCT to speed-up actions on the testing of suspected contact persons. He said that the federal government is doing a lot to curb the menace of COVID-19 through the Presidential Task Force set up by the President.
Speaking, the Director, Port Health Services, Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh stated that with the donation of these items by Jack Ma Foundation, it would serve as encouragement to health service providers. She commended the cordial relationship between the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Port Health Services of the Ministry.
The consignment was taken to the Federal Ministry Health Headquarters, Abuja, then to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) office, Abuja.
The Honourable Minister of Health, DR. Osagie Ehanire has received in audience a delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of China led by the Third Secretary, Li Guanjie who donated gift items towards the prevention of Covid-19 at the Ministry in Abuja.
Dr. Ehanire stated that this was the third time the Chinese government had visited the Ministry, stating that the first was when Covid-19 disease started in China and the Federal government of Nigeria was concerned about its citizens in China. The Chinese government well assured the Federal government of Nigeria that Nigerians in China were taken care of by their government.
He informed that the second time the Embassy visited the Ministry was when they came to ask what they could do to assist the Ministry at the time Nigeria was faced with the threat of the disease. He thanked the Chinese government for the gift items donated to the Ministry especially at this time the Country is facing difficulties to contain the virus. He said the equipment could not have come at a better time.
Dr. Ehanire congratulated the Chinese government as its Country is coming out of the dreaded Virus threat and is also on the verge of recovering its Economy. The Health Minister appreciated their kind gesture and extended His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari’s hand of friendship to them.
He further inquired to know how the Chinese government managed the situation at hand in order for them to assist the Federal government of Nigeria with their strategy, “’The journey to fight Corona Virus is not the journey that many people know; and it's only China that understood the language.” He employed the Chinese government to assist Nigerians with their Public Health experts for assistance which will be well appreciated.
He hinted that our Health System may not be as strong as the Chinese but the federal government is doing everything within its power to strengthen the Health sector so that Public Health will reduce the indices and the number of those who may require serious treatment to a manageable number.
He maintained that our policy is to strive for the best case scenario and prepare for the worst case scenario. In order to achieve this, the Ministry requires technical support, Ventilators, General Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) diagnostic reagent which are needed for our Laboratories Primers.
Dr.Ehanire stated that contact tracing is changing a lot of activities in the Country in order to reduce the mobility of the people and the risk of transmission. He informed that Nigeria would like to learn and know how the Chinese government were able to organise their society under a very difficult situation and try to identify with people who might be at risk if not through contact tracing. Those identified when they are contacted would be put in Isolation centres for the protection of the society.
The Honourable Minister of Health extended his warm regards to the government and people of China for putting all efforts together in containing the Covid-19 and to support the Nigerian government more in future.
Speaking earlier, the Chinese Ambassador, Mr Zhou Pingjian, promised in solidarity to support Nigeria to contain the spread of Covid-19. Mr Pingjian who was represented by the Third Secretary; LI Guanjie, said the gesture is to extend the support the Nigerian government gave China during its stage of battling with the Pandemic. He stated that the virus is a respecter of no borders, hence its importation into Nigeria, which has become a common human challenge. The Ambassador gave the assurance that China would share its measures used to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has stated that, the efficacy of chloroquine in managing CoronaVirus disease is still a subject of conversation and speculation among clinicians globally, and it underscores the pressure on the scientific community to find something that works against the dreaded virus.
He said that some studies are said to have confirmed chloroquine effectiveness in in-vitro tests, while others have described its in-vivo effect as inconclusive. Dr Ehanire disclosed that, certain regulatory agencies have even cautiously approved it for "compassionate" use.
Speaking further, the Minister said that, The Federal Ministry of Health is awaiting advice from Nigerian experts, clinicians and guidance from authorities like World Health Organisation, to endorse its use for this purpose and dissociates itself from any claims, positive or negative, about its applicability, till more evidence is in, which he said, should be very soon.
