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World Hand Hygiene Day: Less Than 50% Households In Sub-Saharan Africa Have Basic Handwashing Facilities, Moeti

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Regional Director for Africa, WHO


TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Basic handwashing facilities with soap and water are available in less than 50% of households in Sub-Saharan Africa, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti has said.

While adding that, in response to COVID-19, more and more handwashing points are being set-up, and we need to look at longer-term solutions to sustainably increase access.

She made this known in her message to commemorate the 2020 World Hand Hygiene Day, saying, every year, on 5 May, we celebrate World Hand Hygiene Day. This year, as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the life-saving importance of clean hands has never been more prominent.

She buttresed that, there is an urgent need to scale-up access to water across the continent. In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than one in four health-care facilities have no water service. An increasing number of facilities are producing alcohol-based hand rubs locally, but this is not a substitute for a safe, reliable water supply.

Over the past 20 years, progress on access to water in Sub-Saharan Africa is mixed. The number of people using unimproved sources remained the same. The number using surface water decreased by one third. The number of people travelling 30 minutes or more roundtrip to collect water, more than doubled, and this burden falls mainly on women and girls.

Moeti, however, called on governments, private sector partners, innovators, scientists and communities, to invest in access to water for health facilities and households. COVID-19 is shining a light on inequities in access to basic services and we have an opportunity to improve access to water for vulnerable communities.

She further stated that, “We can protect ourselves and our families by frequently washing our hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

Hand hygiene, along with physical distancing, respiratory etiquette and disinfecting surfaces are the basic preventive measures for a range of diseases, including COVID-19.

Matshidiso Moeti

In this context, several African countries are providing water to communities free-of-charge as part of the national response, so that more people can wash their hands.

“In celebration of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, this theme of World Hand Hygiene Day 2020 is “nurses and midwives, clean care is in your hands” because infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene, is important in all settings.

It is especially important in health-care facilities as part of ensuring quality patient care.

Matshidiso Moeti

The Regional Director hinted that, WHO is working with countries, the World Food Programme and other partners to ensure health workers have essential supplies, such as personal protective equipment, including gloves. In recent weeks, we delivered replenishments to more than 50 African countries.

We are also working with sub-regional nursing associations and other partners and have trained more than 3000 health workers via interactive virtual seminars, including demonstrating good hand hygiene, she added.

Int’nal Day Of The Midwife: Appreciate Valuable Contribution Of Midwives In Healthcare Teams, WHO

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Moeti
WHO Regional Director for Africa


TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti said it has become imperative that Africans appreciate the valuable contribution of midwives in health-care teams.

Saying, 1 in 2 which accounts for 53% of African midwives have reported feeling disrespected by fellow health workers in the course of their work.

Moeti made this known in her message to commemorate the 2020 International Day of the Midwife to recognize the vital roles of midwives in assisting women with pregnancy, childbirth and during the postpartum period.

The theme for the International Day of the Midwife this year is “Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilize, unite,” which emphasizes the importance of mobilizing communities and maintaining provision of essential health services, particularly as countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to her, “In the African Region, between 2000 and 2017, maternal and newborn deaths have declined by 40% in the African Region, thanks largely to the commitment of midwives working with other health professionals.

“Countries are making strides in improving the skill and working environment for midwives. Ghana has introduced a graduate diploma in midwifery and revised job descriptions to give midwives more autonomy. Lesotho is also interested in providing advanced levels of pre-service training.

“In the African Region, WHO has worked with countries to strengthen regulatory frameworks, and competency-based and standardized education, training and practice for midwives, including integrated training for nursing and midwifery. Faith-based training institutions in Botswana, Cameroon, Lesotho and Malawi are all using WHO’s midwifery curricula. Experts from Sierra Leone, Zambia and WHO collaborating centres on nursing and midwifery are supporting several countries to review their curricula and regulatory instruments in line with WHO guidance.

“In the COVID-19 response, we are training nurses and midwives in infection prevention and control to limit the transmission of this virus in health facilities. So far, over 3000 front-line health workers, including midwives, have participated in webinars. These activities complement trainings led by chief nurses and midwifery officers in countries.

“Countries are also making sure essential health services, like safe deliveries, are not disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Malawi, for instance, risk allowances for health workers, including midwives, have been increased, and 2000 more health workers have been recruited including 700 nurse and midwives”, she stated.

Moving forward, we must ensure that the voices, perspectives and leadership of midwives, nurses and women are included and respected.

The Regional Director, therefore, called on governments, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and partners to invest in midwifery development from education to practice with appropriate regulatory frameworks, support materials and human resources. This is imperative to improve health outcomes for women and infants.

She congratulated midwives across the Africa Region for your professionalism and commitment to ensuring the safety of mothers and their newborn babies, even on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covid-19: Internally Displaced Children Are More Vulnerable, UNICEF Warns

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Peter Hawkins
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria


… As 19M Children Internally Displaced By Conflict, Violence In North-East

 TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

UNICEF has warned that internally displaced children (including in Nigeria) are among the world’s most vulnerable to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic raveging the world.

The report reads in bit: “In north-east Nigeria, there are currently 1.9 million people displaced from their homes. Sixty percent of them are children, with 1 in 4 under the age of five.

“Globally, an estimated 19 million children – more than ever before, according to UNICEF – were living in displacement within their own countries due to conflict and violence in 2019 – some of them for years.

” ‘Lost at Home’, looks at the risks and challenges internally displaced children face, and the urgent actions needed to protect them. As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, these children are among the most vulnerable to its direct and indirect impacts.

The warning came as the organization released a report looking at the risks and challenges facing internally displaced children, and the urgent actions needed to protect them.

Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria said, “Hundreds of thousands of children in north-east Nigeria are living in the shadow of conflict and now in the increasingly challenging shadow of a global pandemic and it’s potential socio-economic aftermath”.

He added that, “When a new crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic emerges, displaced children are especially vulnerable and the gaps in our ability to keep them safe are even more stark. We must urgently work together – all of us, government and humanitarian partners – to keep them safe, healthy, learning and protected.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is making a critical situation for displaced children and families around the world even worse. They often live in overcrowded camps or informal settlements, where access to basic hygiene and health services is limited, and where physical distancing is not possible. This is true in Nigeria’s north-east, where conditions pose a particular challenge to containing the possible spread of diseases like COVID-19.

Internally displaced children around the world often lack access to basic services and are at risk of exposure to violence, exploitation, abuse and trafficking, according to the UNICEF report. They are also at risk of child labour, child marriage and family separation, which all pose direct threats to their health and safety.

According to the report, there were 12 million new displacements of children in 2019 – 3.8 million of them were caused by conflict and violence, and 8.2 million by disasters linked mostly to weather-related events like flooding and storms.

UNICEF and partners are currently working to protect displaced children in north-east Nigeria through critical health and nutrition services, providing access to life-saving WASH services through accelerated construction of facilities, and adapted solutions to continuing education – including the provision of radios for distance learning while schools are closed.

“What we really need now are strategic investments and a united effort from government, civil society, private sector, humanitarian actors and children themselves to find solutions that can protect children from the affects of displacement – especially as we face the COVID-19 pandemic – and also address and help mitigate the longer term impacts this can have on children’s health and education,” said Peter Hawkins.

Ease of Lockdown: FCTA Development Control Department Issues Guidelines On Construction Sites

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Muktar Galadima, Director of Development Control, FCTA.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has released guidelines with regards to the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown in the nation’s capital.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Director, Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima and a copy made available to newsfocusng.com directed owners of all construction sites (including public institution sites) to ensure full compliance with the guidelines in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the FCT.

The statement reads: “The concerned entities are hereby urged to be guided and ensure full compliance to the Guidelines in order to avoid the relevant sanctions which include sealing of sites and possible prosecution”.

The statement added, “For the purpose of clarity, the Guidelines are states below: All construction sites must provide facilities for hand washing tor all workers and visitors, this includes additional provision of alcohol- based sanitizers; All workers on construction sites must observe social/physical distancing of not less than 2 meters, including other relevant safety measures; All workers and visitors to construction sites are required to compulsory wash and sanitize their hands prior to entering and leaving the sites.

The guidelines continues:  Construction sites of a single structure (Residential Building) shall not have more than 8 Nos workers; construction sites of a single structure à(Commercial Building) shall not have more than 15 Nos workers;  Construction sites of multiple structures (Major Commercial/ Residential Estate) shall not have more than 35 Nos workers or as may be determined by the Council.

Galadima, however, urged the general public is encouraged to report any contravention of the provision(s) of this Guidelines by any construction site(s) to the Department of Development Control for prompt action.

Only 31% of Nigerian Children Are Currently Immunized, NDHS

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0


TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The 2018 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) has revealed that only thirty-one percent of Nigerian children are currently immunized.

This implies that, we still need to bridge the 69% gap on unimmunized children.

Speaking at a two day Media Dialogue on Data-Driven Reporting and Dissemination of the National Demographic Health Survey, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Planning and Research Specialist, Mrs Maureen Zubie-Okolo, said the decline in figure is as a result of hard-to-reach areas caused by insurgency.

According to her, Immunization coverage is one of the indicators used to monitor progress towards reductions in child morbidity and mortality, as it is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions.

Inspite of the decline, Nigeria has recorded some progress in infant and child mortality across the country, she added.

Speaking on the trends in vaccination, Zubie-Okolo said vaccination coverage in Nigeria has Improved over the past 10 years; the percentage of children age 12-23 months who received all basic vaccinations increased from 23% in 2008 to 31% in 2018.

Again, the percentage of children who received none of the basic vaccinations declined from 29% to 19% during the same period.

She however noted that, while these trends show improvement, they still fall short of Sustainable Development Goals 3, for which the target is achieving more than 90% coverage of all basic vaccinations among children age 12-23 months.

According to her, “The progressive decline in child mortality could be attributed to better health advocacy and good governance.

“Most women due to lack of education, do not readily know what to do to keep their children healthy and alive.

“The National Demographic Health Survey 2018 shows a great improvement in child health indices. ” She further explained.

Coronavirus Pandemic : Group Calls On Buhari To Priorities Health, Sustain Funding

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Prof Oladapo Oladipupo


TOYIN ADEBAYO , ABUJA 

The National Advocates for Health (NAH) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prioritise health as a political agenda and sustain its funding in the midst of Coronavirus pandemic and crashed global oil price.

The evidence of its adverse impact on the Health sector, banking sector, economy, the social distancing and lock down of regions are strong justifications for the Government of Nigeria to see that health should be prioritized, the group stated.

 The group in a press statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja , signed by the Chairman, National Advocates for Health (HA4H), Prof. Oladapo Oladipocommended the effort of the federal government and all its agencies in speedy response to the Coronavirus pandemic through intensifying screening, surveillance at the borders, setting up isolation centres for quarantine, release of emergency funds and establishing of the presidential task-force on Coronavirus control. 

 They however hinted that, despite the above effort of Federal Government, we note the non-compliance with Abuja declaration of Allocation of 15% of National revenue to the Health sector, gross under-funding of the health sector which is responsible for our dysfunctional health care system, medical tourism and human capital flight to greener pastures resulting in inequitable distribution of Health manpower and unacceptable preventable mortality and morbidity. Currently, also, governments at national and sub-national levels are worsening the inequality by under-funding public services such as Education, Health, Water and Environmental Sanitation.


 The group chaired by Prof Oladapo Ladipo has observed the following: “The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) of N44.50 billion is captured in the Part C of the 2020 approved budget ‘Statutory Transfers’ as against in 2019 that was captured as part of service wide vote. This is good news as it will be more protected when there is budget paucity;  About N46 Billion is allocated and approved for the Health Capital Budget with bulk of it committed to Immunization (about N32 billion. This is a testimony we have priorities  the health and wellbeing of our children; and  N1.5 billion for Expanded Midwives Service Scheme, N729 Million for Cancer Funds and N1.2 Billion for Family Planning Procurement which is an international commitment to FP2020”.

 The statement continued: “While the aforementioned allocations are already appropriated in the 2020 approved budget, we are aware that implementation of the overall 2020 budget may suffer cuts and delay in disbursement as Coronavirus continues to impact on the global oil market which Nigerian government substantially relies on to finance its budget. 

 “When revenue falls, we are aware that section 28 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act has empower the Minister of Finance on budgetary matters as follows “Where, by the end of three months, after the enactment of the Appropriation Act, the Minister determines that the targeted revenues may be insufficient to fund the heads of expenditure in the Appropriation Act, the Minister shall, within the next 30 days of such determination, take appropriate measures to restrict further commitments and financial operations according to the criteria set-in the Fiscal Risk Appendix ——- such provisions shall not apply to Statutory or constitutional expenditure.”

 “Despite having such powers by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, as a matter of urgency, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Finance Mrs Zainab Ahmed to prioritise health as a political agenda and ensure all its funding are released on time and in full. Mr. President should also ensure an effective implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security (2018-2022). As the saying goes, health is wealth and Nigeria’s ability to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic and economic crises relies on its healthy population and healthy workforce”, the statement further stated.


Nigeria Needs $278 Million To Control TB, WHO

By
Ola Akinola
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0
Tuberculosis patient
Tuberculosis patient


As  57,000 Children Are  Infected To With Tuberculosis Annually 

AKEEM ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Not less than 57,000 Nigeria children are infected with Tuberculosis annually, health expert has said. 

This was made known  at a Pre World TB Day organized by the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, (NTBLCP) and Stop TB Parnership Nigeria.

One of the experts,  Dr. Odume Bethrand,  who is the Executive Director of KNCV,  said the Emergence of drug resistant TB poses a major health threat and could put at risk the gains made in efforts to end TB. 

He also decried the fact that out of  $278 million needed to control TB in Nigeria in 2019, only $52.8 million, 40%, was made available which affected the control of TB in 2019.

He noted that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Check that cough, Time no dey”, will ensure that the world is reminded of the commitments made and timely need for action to scale up, research, funding, human rights and accountability. 

According to him, “Nigeria is among the 30 high burden countries for TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB, ranked 6th among the 30 high TB burden countries and 1st in Africa. 

“Nigeria accounts for 12% of the global TB incidence and notified cases, out of 429,000 estimated new TB cases in Nigeria in 2019 only 120, 266 were notified to the NTBLCP with 28% treatment coverage. 

“An estimated 21,000 DR-TB cases recorded in 2018, only 2,384, 11%, we’re diagnosed and 83% of them enrolled on second day line treatment. Only 8% of all forms of notified TB cases are children less than 15 years. DOES CLINIC is only available in 30% of health facilities in Nigeria,  and only 8% of them have TB diagnostic services. Of the $278 million needed for TB control in Nigeria in year 2019, only 40% was available to all the implementers of TB control activities in Nigeria, 8% domestic and 32% donor full dstv,  with 60% funding gap”, he explained.

Also, the House of Representatives committee, Chairman on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control ,  Abubakar Sarki Dahiru said that, we have a huge TB burden in Nigeria and we need all stakeholders to work together to be able to end TB in Nigeria. 

According to him, the National Assembly is ready and willing to work with all the stakeholders in the fight against ending TB in Nigeria. Adding that they will do everything possible to see that Nigeria is free of TB. 

On his part, the  representative of World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria, Dr. Ayodele Awe solicited the support of both the government and the media agencies in the fight against TB in Nigeria.

According to him,  the target elimination of TB is 2030 and this is 2020. So, the progress we are making is not enough. So, we need you to support us, by stimulating government support.

“He said the total amount of fund needed for TB each year, is $278M.How much are we having as domestic it is just 8 per cent and there is a huge gap of 167 million dollars gap that is supposed to help us for advocacy and increase in service coverage. 

“And so, we need you to help us to stimulate government to look at this infectious disease and the message we want you to help us to pass is “any person that is coughing for two weeks or more could be TB, so, get yourself tested”, he added.

 Also speaking, the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli-Ulcer Control Programme, Dr. Adebola lawanson said, despite significant progress over the last decades, TB remains the world’s deadliest Infectious killer. 
Each day, nearly 3,975 people lose their lives to TB and close to 27,397 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. 

TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria known as mycobacteria tuberculosis.  It is passed from from person to person through air.  Anyone can have TB disease , but people experience who have weakened immune system are at higher risk of getting sick like elderly people, children, persons with diabetes Mellisus,  HIV, cancer etc. TB most commonly affects the lungs but affect any other parts of the body.

TB symptoms include, continous cough lasting for two weeks or more, fever lasting for 2 weeks or more, sweating at night even when the weather is cold,  weight loss, difficulty in breathing, chest pin and blood stain sputum. Diagnosis and treatment is free in all government owned health facilities. 

Coronavirus: FG Confirms Five New Cases

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health

Nigeria Now Has 8 Confirmed Cases

Detail Travel History Of Each Person’s Being Compiled

FG Bans Flights From USA, UK, China and 10 Others

Suspends Issuance Of Visa On Arriaval To Travellers

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Government has announced additional five new cases of the dreaded coronavirus disease in Nigeria bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eight (8)

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja to update Nigerians on the suituation of the virus, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said all the new five
cases had a travel history to and from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA)

He however urged Nigerians to remain calm as public health response activities are intensified across the country.

According to him, “The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) unfortunately confirms 5 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria within the last 36 hours, bringing the total number of contirmed cases in Nigeria to 8.

“Of the 5 new positive cases 3 arrived
from the United States, while 2 came in from the United Kingdom. We are still collating infomation on the travellers; 2 of the 3 from the US are Nigerian,
a mother and child, making the 6 week old baby the youngest COviLD-19 patient we have, and the 3rd 1s an American national, who crossed the land border and becomes the first COviD-19 Case not arriving by air. The 2 cases from the UK are Nigerians.

“A detailed travel history of each person is being compiled and contacts currently being traced, to identify persons who have recenty been in contact with anyone. The National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and supported by partners, is supporting response in the states”, he explained.

He added that , the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health is conducting risk assessment to help guide decision making.

He urged citizens not to panic, but allow experts in public health to guide response in a calculated, scientific manner. False information and rumour to cause fear and panic must be
avoided at such times. The COviD-19 cases so far appear to have mild symptoms and are in recovery.

To protect yourselves and your families, he urged everyone to continue to take care and caution as advised.

Government will do the needful to protect Citizens health, he assured.

However, the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus (COVID-19), announced the following
Interventions on 1 7th of March: Prohibition of all travel by public servants; Suspension of the visa on arrival policy till further notice; A firm travel advisory against non-essential travel to high burden countries, especially in view of the number of Nigeria who arrived from US and Europe and diagnosed in the past 48 hours with coronavirus infection;

In addition, A requirement that all person returning from overseas self-isolate for observation for 14 days , even if they feel well. NCDC will desseminate information on the practice; Supervised self-isolation, including testing, of persons returning from nation’s with Community transmission of more than 1,000 cases cumulatively, for 14 days by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Port
Health Services; Federal Government will restrict entry to Nigeria of persons from the listed high burden countries with effect from Friday March 20, for a period of 4 weeks; A reminder that citizens maintain hand hygiene and standard respiratory etiquette.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control will continue to provide accurate and reliable updates as and when they are available, and take available measures to control spread of Infectious disease outbreaks in Nigeria.

Similarly, the Federal Government has banned flights from 13 countries with over 1,000 covid-19 cases domestically.

The countries include China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, United States of America, Norway, United Kingdom, Netherlands & Switzerland

This was disclosed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), through its twitter handle.

The NCDC said the federal government has also suspended the issuance of visa on arrival to travellers from these countries, adding that all travelers returning from these countries prior to the restriction will be in supervised self-isolation, monitored by NCDC and Port Health Services.

FG Confirms Third Case Of Coronavirus In Nigeria

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health

FG Confirms Third Case Of Coronavirus In Nigeria

Says, She Clinically Stable

Intensive Contact Tracing Has Begun To Identify Her Contacts

Commends Her For Going Into Self- Isolation Upon Arriaval

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The stringent surveilance efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) have identified a new case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) within our borders, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 3, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has said.

Ehanire made this known at a press conference to update Nigerians on the third case of the dreaded coronavirus case in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, ” the latest case is a Nigerian national in her 30s, who returned from a short visit to the United Kingdom on March 13th. Fortunately, she decided, upon returning home, to go into a 14 day self-isolation, but Subsequently developed symptoms of fever and cough on March 16h, at which point she voluntarily called the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) toll-free call line, to report her condition.

“Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) were immedicely dispatched to her
home to collect samples, which upon testing came out positive for the
Coronavirus. The lady is currently at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in
Yaba where she has remained clinically stable and is responding to treatment”, he said.

The minister further revealed that, ” Intensive contact tracing has begun, to help identify all persons who the
patient has been in contact with since her return. We expect the number to be small, because of her sensible dacision to go into self-isolation from
the time of her arriaval.

We commend her for following the recommended guldelines to the letter. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) will continue to assess the situation and adjust response accordingly.

The inaugural meeting of the Presidential Toskforce on Coronavirus will hold later today. Please continue to maintan hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, which has beern repeatedly advised.

Ehanire added that, the Federal Government of Nigeria will make further announcements later
today.

The Federal Ministry of Health will continues to carry out the necessary
rick assessments on a daily basis. The National Emergency Operations
Centre and partners will work with Lagos State Health authorties in their response.

It is important to note that many people who are infected with coronavirus will experience only mild symptoms and recover without incident. Of great concern are those with existing underlying medical conditions and senior citizens to stay more at home.

He however urged Nigerians to continue to take precautions to protect themselves and their families.

He also advised citizens against relying on social media, as pranksters tend to abuse this medium for misinformation and disinformation that cause fear and panic.

FCT FEMA Recovers Two Corpses From Rubbles Of Collapse Fence In Apo

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0
muhammad-musa-bello
FCT Minister, Nigeria

FCT FEMA Recovers Two Corpses From Rubbles Of Collapse Fence In Apo

TOYIN ADEBAYO ABUJA

The Search and Rescue team of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday recovered corpses of two construction workers from the rubbles of a the collapse fence of an Estate in Gudu District behind Apo Legislatives Quarters, Zone E, FCT.

Daily Independent gathered that the developer was rebuilding a retaining wall of a collapsed fence, while the site workers were excavating the foundation of the fence , due to the pressure of soil from an existing German floor, the fence collapse and slide on the two construction workers.

Speaking to journalists at the scene of the incident, the Head, Search and Rescue (FEMA) SFI, Mr. Moses Oyegun stated that FEMA search and rescue team arrived at the scene of the incident after receiving report from 112 emergency number and were informed by eyewitness of the two site worker trapped in the rubbles of the collapsed fence.

According to him, the team excavated the rubbles and rescued the two totally injured persons and who were immediately taken to the Asokoro Hospital, where doctors confirmed them dead.

Smpathizing with the victims of the incident, the Director General FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urged developers to desist from practices that could lead to accidents and loss of lives, around the FCT and Environs.

According to him, some disaster and accidents can be averted if necessary precautionary procedures are followed

“If the initial exiting fence collapse was reported to the necessary authority, perhaps the developer would have gotten some professional advice and supervision that would have averted these loses” he said.

He however called on relevant agency to follow up and ascertain the reason for the initial collapse of the existing fence and to check if the standard building materials were used for the construction.

The corpses whom were identified as Haruna Halilu and Nasiru Aliyu (aged approximately 27 years respectively) have since been handed over to the deceased families by the Police for final funeral arrangement.

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