Nigeria Health Online

COVID-19: Nigeria’s situation report

NMA demands unified lockdown, decries FG’s poor handling of pandemic

The Nigerian Medical Association has warned President Muhammadu Buhari-led government over the poor handling of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country while calling for a uniform and immediate lockdown of the country.

Nigeria has so far recorded 51 confirmed cases of the virus and one recorded death.

The NMA in a statement by Francis Faduyile, its President, on Thursday said key strategies in containing the virus were largely absent or sub-optimally implemented.

It said based on assessment of the response so far, federal and state authorities were working independently, thus leaving several grounds uncovered.

The NMA further lamented the absence of purpose-built isolation centers unlike in the past when infectious disease hospitals existed in every state of the federation.

In the statement, the NMA called for the immediate and uniform lockdown of every state and non-essential services as well as synergy between the federal and state governments in handling the pandemic.

The group also called on the Nigerian Government to give incentives to every medical practitioner and volunteers helping to contain the spread of the virus, adding that government must reconvene the 2014 team that tackled Ebola to assist with effective planning.

NPHCDA deploys team of Medical Staff to support NCDC

Dr. Faisal-Shuaib

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has deployed a team of medical staff to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC), operational centre to support the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director/CEO, NPHCDA, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja.

Shuaib said that the team will support the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to manage and control the spread of COVID-19.

He said that NPHCDA in the same vein, also provided vehicles to support the National COVID-19 response in the country.

According to the NPHCDA CEO, COVID-19 and it’s spread happens to be the most serious global health security threat.

“Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the virus, and we are deeply, deeply grateful to the healthcare workers who are on the front line helping to manage the situation,” he said.

He recommended that Nigerians should listen to the relevant agencies and they should not share false or panic messages.

“Remember, we all have a collective role to play,” he stressed.

Shuaib urged Nigerians to avoid crowded places, like supermarkets and outdoor markets.

He said that they should maintain at least two meters distance with anyone coughing or sneezing.

The CEO said that they should also wash their  hands frequently with soap under running water or use hand sanitizers.

Current figures from NCDC show that Nigeria has 51 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of March 26, 2020.

Ondo: Akeredolu tests negative

Gov. Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has tested negative to COVID-19.

His samples were collected after some persons in the presidency tested positive to coronavirus.

Akeredolu revealed his status on his Twitter handle and shared a message  from his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro to him about the lab results.

“Good morning sir. The result is negative. Congratulations your Excellency”

In his tweet, Akeredolu said, “I just received the above text from the Commissioner for Health regarding my #Covid19 test results. We give all glory to God. Wish everyone affected speedy recovery.”

Kano Govt. orders closure of land borders

Gov. Ganduje

Kano  State Government has ordered the closure of land borders and routes linking the state to other parts of the country with effect from Friday, March 27, to contain the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.‎

Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Kano.

Anwar said that movements coming in and out of the state were banned ‎beginning from 12:00 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2020.‎

He said: “This includes all kinds of movements through the borders of the state, even those coming to Kano through Domestic Wing of Malam Aminu Kano International Airport will remain at the airport, without getting access into the city.‎

“This decision is hard but absolutely necessary, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

“We urge Kano citizens and all other Nigerians to bear with this difficult situation”.‎

According to him, land boarders will be shut while government ensure close monitoring of the situation to keep the people abreast of development.

Anwar said that the police, members of the Kano Road Transport Authority (KAROTA), Hisbah and other security agencies have been  mobilised to enforce compliance with the border closure.

‎The governor’s aid reiterated government commitment to adopt proactive measures to safeguard public health and protect the people against the virus.

“People must cooperate with health workers to ensure that our state is safe and the country, adhere to social distancing and stay at home as advised by health workers.‎

“People should maintain a high personal hygiene, practice regular hand washing with soap under running water and ensure application of sanitisers,” the statement said.‎

‎The statement further urged people to stay away from going to markets unless for essential needs and cooperate with security agencies.

Enugu  insures doctors, essential services workers

Governor  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved Group Life/Group Personal Accident Assurance Policy for all medical doctors in the state Ministry of Health and hospitals.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya in Enugu on Wednesday said it was part of the government’s resolve to strengthen the state’s response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Ortuanya said the assurance package covered medical doctors in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, (ESUTH) Parklane.

According to him, it is also extended to all doctors in the State Ministry of Health and all other health workers.

Other beneficiaries, according to the statement, include fire fighters, staff of Enugu State Emergency Management Agency and all those involved in other essential services.

The SSG added that the governor was hopeful the gesture would inspire higher commitment and productivity among the beneficiaries.

In a related development, the governor has directed President Generals of all town unions in the state to mobilize volunteers and town criers in their respective communities to enlighten their residents on prevention of COVID-19 with effect from March 26.

The President General were directed to interface with the Enugu State Multi-sectoral Rapid Response Team, through the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, for collection of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on Coronavirus for the enlightenment.

According to Ortuanya, the state government has also made provisions for logistic support to the president generals for the various town criers for this assignment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had earlier announced shut down of schools, bans social activities including burials, weddings and night clubs among others to prevent spread of coronavirus in the state.

Bauchi nurses demand protective equipment

Chairman of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Bauchi state chapter, Ibrahim Maikudi, has called on the  State government to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  for  nurses in the state.

PPE are protective wears used to guard against being infected by diseases or virus.

Maikudi, who made the appeal while addressing a press conference in Bauchi on Wednesday, said nurses needed to protect themselves while discharging their duties

The appeal is coming bare 24 hours after Gov. Bala Mohammed of the state tested positive to the Coronavirus.

Maikudi said members of the  association could not afford to take unnecessary risk considering the coronviru pandemic.

He said the association had mobilised it’s members to partake in the effort at curtailing the spread of the dread disease.

According to him, NANNM will partner with the Nigeria Medical Assocation (NMA) in Bauchi to sensitize the public on preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While preparing and mobilising our members to be prepared in case they come in contact with patients, we also advised them to take safety measures while discharging their duties.

“We are calling on Bauchi government to provide PPE in the facilities across the state,”he said.

He said that members had been directed to counsel their clients, families, friends and the general public on hand washing and social distancing to guard against contracting COVID 19.

NAN

Kwara bans commercial transportation

The Kwara State Government on Wednesday banned commercial vehicles, Okada and motor bike operators in the state.

The state also announced the closure all mosques, churches and markets effective today (Thursday).

It also announced the ban on all social functions and engagements.

State Deputy Governor, who is the Chair Technical Committee on Covid-19, Mr. Kayode Alabi told reporters in Ilorin, state capital.

He said that the development is aimed at protecting the lives of the residents of the state.

Alabi said that government would put security arrangement on ground so as to ensure the compliance of the order in the state.

He added that “the lockdown of the state would curb any invasion of unsuspected members of the public that may likely invading the state through commercial operators from the neighbouring states of the federation.”

The governor said that “fast food operators in the state should do take-away of their foods and avoid any customers to sit down to eat in their business premises henceforth”.

Alabi said that government would not rest on its oars to make the state free of the pandemic.

He urged Kwarans to cooperate with the government in the task of curtailing the spread of the pandemic in the state.

He dispelled insinuation about Governor Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed’s self-isolation.

Alabi said that “I want to say emphatically that, our governor is not in isolation and he is hale and hearty.”

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