Says, Public , Private Hospitals Nationwide To Become Collection Sites.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has warned health workers against unprofessional disposal of used Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) in common waste dumps, where scavengers have been seen to pick them up for risky reuse.

He said this is dangerous and a sure pathway to promoting community transmission. Adding that all COVID-19 waste is to be Incinerated.

Ehanire gave this warning on Monday at the Presidential Task Force press briefing on Covid-19, in Abuja.

While adding that, the Ministry of Health planned to boost overall COVID-19 sample collection, by preparing all eligible public and private hospitals nationwide to become collection sites.

According to him, “This will require working with State governments and NPHCDA to identify the facilities and the space within them, to conduct training for the personnel selected and supply both PPEs and sample collection kits, as well as the logistics to go around to recover test samples, and so better utilize available laboratory assets in the country, which even now are capable of handling far more cases than they presently do. If logistics around sample collection and delivery to test sites are better organized, a lot more will be achieved. However, the more we test, the more confirmed cases we shall find, of which the vulnerable will have to be prioritized for admission to treatment centers, even if they are not yet showing symptoms. States will be encouraged to use all opportunities to isolate other asymptomatic cases who may not qualify for supervised self Isolation, for the period they are deemed to be infectious or are at risk of infecting the vulnerable. It will also mean scaling up treatment and Isolation centers in states and the logistics for managing them.

“As of today 6th of July 2020, Nigeria has recorded a total of 28,711 confirmed COVID-19 cases, out of 152,952 tests conducted, of which 11,665 have been treated successfully and discharged. We have regrettably recorded 645 fatalities.

“Taking the statistics of the month of June alone, a total of 15,532 cases were confirmed from 74,580 tests, with 303 deaths on record. This means that just under half of the total fatalities so far recorded, occurred in the single month of June; while we more than doubled the tests done and the number of cases detected. The reduction in case fatality rate is down to about 2.2%, in line with our plan, going forward. But it also draws our attention to the speed with which COVID-19 is growing, the time it took to double itself, and the reminder that we need to improve on our responses, to continue to strive for the best and prepare for worse”, he said.

Speaking on the petitions and reports available to him, Ehanire appealed to citizens, especially those Covid-19 positive who feel no symptoms at all, not to take invitation to treatment centers as persecution, but to cooperate with health officials and understand that measures taken are protective and in the interest of all of us.

He further stated that, a strong 17 man team of the Federal Ministry of Health, led by the Executive Director of National Primary Health Development Agency, left Abuja for Calabar this morning to engage with the Cross River State government in setting up their covid19 response and aligning it with the national response. Agencies and many departments of the Ministry of Health, like NCDC, Hospital Services, Family Health, are represented in the delegation, to ensure the appropriate technical handshake between Federal and State service delivery pillars and also ensure that the disruption of routine medical services, which has been observed in many States, is minimized or eliminated in CRS. We have also called on the CRS NMA to suspend their strike action and receive the Ministry’s delegation. At the request of His Excellency the Governor of CRS, a senior Immigration officer is on Board to study the border challenges with Cameroon, as well as a Port Health officer to assess risks posed by sea travelers arriving CRS ports particularly from neighboring Central African countries of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon Angola etc. CRS is known to be a producer of various PPEs, including masks, for which the Governor wants SON endorsement, to have access to patronage.

With regard to Kogi, he hinted that, arrangements are under way to beef up security at FMC Medical Center Lokoja for protection of staff and patients. The Federal government will do all it can to attend to the needs of the citizens, while we seek ways to engage the State authorities.

Ehanire stated that the unfortunate figures on COVID-19 we see in other countries every day are sobering and must instruct us, that it is not the way we want to go. To protect ourselves more, I must advise citizens again that it is not enough to ask “what is government doing”? The question now is also, “what are you doing”? Whether as communities, associations or individuals, we are all in this together. It is not the Federal Government alone. This novel virus is highly contagious and if we do not cooperate and sacrifice, if we refuse to get treatment and decide to infect others, we could be responsible for some cases leading to death.

He added that, the Federal Government through the NCDC has launched an E-Learning platform on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for healthcare workers. We urge them to utilize it, but shall also refocus on training states with high health workers infection. Infection rates in our treatment centres have however reduced overall. PPEs have been distributed to health facilities in good numbers and the use is being monitored to reduce wastage. I urge our health workers to ensure appropriate use. I also remind everyone that Covid19 treatment facilities not accredited by the responsible State or FCT accreditation committee are illegal and risky.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The World Health Organisation (WHO), has revealed that COVID-19 infections in Africa today (Wednesday), surpassed 500 000, and there is concern as a growing number of countries are experiencing a sharp rise in cases.

Saying, it said in less than five months, the virus has claimed 11, 959 lives, overtaking the 11 308 lives lost in the world’s worst Ebola outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.

WHO added that cases have more than doubled in 22 countries in the region over the past month, saying nearly two-thirds of countries are experiencing community transmission.

It said Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa account for about 71% of COVID-19 cases, adding that South Africa alone accounts for 43% of the continent’s total cases.

However, the accelerating growth trend is not uniform across the continent, with some countries recording a steady rise in cases, indicating a protracted pandemic.

“Eritrea, Gambia, Mali, Seychelles and Togo are witnessing long doubling times and low growth rates. Seychelles had not experienced a case in nearly two months, but in the past week had dozens of new imported cases, linked to crew members of an international fishing vessel. There are also some signs of progress as 10 countries have experienced a downward trend over the past month. Although Egypt accounts for 15 percent of cumulative cases, it has seen a decline in the past week”, WHO said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti said, “With more than a third of countries in Africa doubling their cases over the past month, the threat of COVID-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the continent is escalating.

“So far the continent has avoided disaster and if countries continue to strengthen key public health measures such as testing, tracing contacts and isolating cases, we can slow down the spread of the virus to a manageable level.”

Eighty-eight per cent of COVID-19 infections are among people aged 60 and below, likely due to Africa’s relatively young population. However, the likelihood of dying from COVID-19 rises with increasing age and the existence of co-morbidities, with the risk of death among patients aged 60 years and above being 10 times higher compared with those below 60.

Also, the WHO Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, added that, “Communities across the continent have a crucial role to play in controlling the pandemic, especially as countries begin easing lockdowns and opening up their borders”

“As governments continue to implement public health measures, individuals must remain as cautious and vigilant as ever to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Hand washing, mask use, physical distancing and other preventative measures are key to controlling transmission, saving lives, and ensuring that already overwhelmed health systems are not stretched to breaking point.”

The organization said as COVID-19 continues to spread, thousands of health workers have also fallen ill, saying equipping and protecting health workers is one of the central pillars of the COVID-19 response.

WHO is working to support countries respond to COVID-19 by providing technical guidance, crucial medical equipment and has remotely trained more than 25 000 health workers.

WHO has also organized more than 420 shipments of key equipment, including more than 3000 oxygen concentrators, 23 000 GeneXpert diagnostic testing machines and almost 4 million pieces of personal protective equipment for health care workers.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Within the framework of the ECOWAS-UNESCO Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the UNESCO Regional Director, Yao Ydo and the ECOWAS Commissioner for Education, Science and Culture, Leopoldo Amado signed a joint statement on 3rd July 2020, for a joint response to COVID-19 in West African countries.

The response, they say is in line with UNESCO’s mission of contributing to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue, and the mandate of ECOWAS to promote socio-economic integration and development in all its Member States.

Conscious of the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health, education, socio-cultural and economic activities of all 15 member-states of ECOWAS, the two entities have developed a joint work plan of interventions to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

The strategic work plan with clear expected results for the immediate and long terms includes programmes in the fields of education, science and culture.

It includes capacity building interventions to ensure continuity of learning during the pandemic and training in pedagogical and administrative reforms for the reopening of schools in post COVID-19; assistance in strengthening Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Systems; and support for the promotion of cultural heritage and artistic expressions.

UNESCO and ECOWAS, have pooled financial and technical resources for the actualization of the joint response. Both institutions welcome this important step in their cooperation and commit to further strengthening it to ensure the achievement of the regional and global developmental goals in ECOWAS Member States.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

An Emergency Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) held via Zoom on Tuesday resolved that,the development of the Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan and the proposed establishment of Community Support Centres (CSCs), should be in the first instance, in high burden states (Lagos, Kano, and FCT) towards reducing community transmission of COVID-19.

The meeting which was chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire also noted the progress of work/support by all stakeholders and challenges encountered in the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic across the states of the federation.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and a copy made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that, Based on the technical presentations, states’ updates, and deliberations at the meeting, the Council approved the Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan Council also made the following resolutions: The Draft Guideline on Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which was earlier scheduled for presentation to Council, should be stepped down for presentation at a later time after further necessary consultations; COVID-19 Community Support Centres (CSCs) should not be established as parallel centres but as additional options to relieve the burden of service delivery on existing facilities; States are to own and lead the implementation of the COVID-19 Community Support Centres (CSCs) where desirable; and FMOH will share a Template on Needs Assessment and Daily Reporting Format on Case Management to facilitate decision making for federal government support to states.

The Communique was adopted upon a motion by the Commissioner for Health (Osun State) seconded by the Commissioner for Health (Yobe State). The meeting commenced at 10:20am. The National Council on Health, as provided for in the National Health Act (2014), is t

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire on Monday revealed that, experience they gathered suggest that some COVID-19 fatalities recorded in Nigeria may possibly have been saved if they had arrived designated treatment centers early enough.

Saying, emerging that the clinical condition of COVID-19 patients, especially the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, can change from mild to critical within such a short time that patients hardly have time to seek hospital care.

He made this known at the daily Presidential Task force on Covid-19 briefing in Abuja, while advising that all hospitals to have the right index of suspicion and recognize and promptly refer suspected cases to designated hospitals. Attempting to treat COVID-19 positive patients, when not so accredited, puts all involved at risk, including the innocent.

The Minister also advised persons with symptoms and those with underlying diseases or over 60 years of age, to check into an isolation or treatment centre, for observation. This could save your life.

According to him, “Though up to 80% of cases can be asymptomatic it helps to also bear the known common symptoms in mind: these being fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and difficulty in breathing. Additional signs can be headache, diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. While symptomatic treatment can be vital in preventing complications, close clinical observation, early enough, can be decisive.

“Confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nigeria surpassed the 20,000 mark over the weekend, reaching 20,244 between yesterday and today. We also saw the highest number of daily diagnosed new cases last Thursday of 745, but with 436 over the past 24 hours. While the overall trajectory was predicted as the a course of events, explained both by increased community transmission and rising testing capacity, it is a reminder that we must not only, not let down our guards, but begin to restrategize on additional measures of keeping control of the situation. This will not be the sole responsibility of government, but of all citizens, individually and collectively. It is also the prime feature of the National COVID-19 Response Action Plan of the Federal Ministry of Health, which tries to map a near, medium and long term health sector response strategy to the challenge, across all areas of health, over the next 3-year period. The Plan is to be presented at the National Council of Health and applied by States, for the development of State specific Action Plans, to address State peculiarities.

He continued; “As at yesterday, 6,879 persons in total had been treated for covid19 and discharged, while 518 have sadly been lost, with 96 persons in just the past week. Total samples tested are 113,575, active cases are 12,847 and case fatality rate, at 2.55%”.

He, however, commended the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) who called off strike following continuous dialogue, constructive engagement, and response to grievances that were tabled, like payment of hazard and inducement allowances and provision of PPEs.

He further noted that, “”Nigeria received a large consignment of medical supplies on Saturday, the first of a series of deliveries from the UN Group and the European Union, which several ministers were on hand to receive at the airport on behalf of the Federal government. The donation is made up of a large number of various categories of PPEs and 547 oxygen concentrators, courtesy of WHO, which our experience in Nigeria shows, are much more in use than ventilators. The Federal Ministry of Health particularly appreciates this addition to our case management assests and we thank all the donors, through the Resident Coordinator of the UN family in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon.

“I was invited to visit 063 Nigeria Air Force Hospital last Friday, to inspect the COVID-19 Observation and Treatment Centre there, a 25 bed centre with modern facilities for managing mild and severe cases. An additional 200 bed student hostel has been prepared as a backup isolation centre, in case of overspill. This centre will complement the treatment centres in FCT, able to handle Isolation 2 and 3 cases. I must commend Defence Headquarters and the leadership of the Nigeria Air force for the offer of support in the fight against COVID-19. The Air Force already supports the FMoH with mission flights to various parts of Nigeria”.

Ehanire stated that, On Thursday, 18th June, 2020 the World Health Organizations (WHO) Africa Regional Certification Commission for poliomyelitis eradication announced the certification of Nigeria as a Polio free state, an achievement worth celebrating, considering that up to 2012, we accounted for more than half the polio cases worldwide. The credit is to all tiers of government, our international partners, community leaders, and above all, the thousands of NPHCDA front-line health workers and resource groups. I particularly wish to commend and thank His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment and unalloyed support for the program.

while adding that, the certificate will be delivered in August, but it does not mean we can rest on our guards. Our energy is already being directed to supporting the fight against COVID-19, especially in this community transmission phase, with the Community Support Program of NPHCDA, using the PHC network and experienced human resource for Health to drive surveillance and community case management at grassroots level. I am mindful in that regard, that other healthcare services, like routine immunization, shall be maintained, to ensure Nigeria stays polio free.

We must daily be reminded of challenges covid-19 poses to Nigeria and the world, and further reinforce our resolve to tackle the pandemic. We can reduce case fatality in Nigeria, if non-pharmaceutical interventions are scaled up and we become more proactive in dealing with positive cases. We can scale up testing, tracing, treatment and Isolation, with priority on offering more protection to elderly citizens and those with co-morbidities, from the threat of infection, he added.