PRESS BRIEFING BY HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 PRESS BRIEFING ON MONDAY 12TH OCTOBER, 2020
Protocol
In the past 24 hours, Nigeria recorded 163 new covid19 cases in 12 states, bringing the total confirmed cases to 60,266 out of 554,006 persons tested so far. 51,735 cases have been discharged and 1,115 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. There are 7416 active cases most of which are currently receiving treatment either at home, in home care or in a facility.
2. We constantly remind ourselves that this is a new virus and there is a lot to be learnt. We continue to share our experiences and learn from the experience of other countries. Last Friday, I had the honour of receiving in my office The Cuban Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Clara Pulido Escandell who facilitated a virtual technical meeting between our two countries on our COVID-19 response. The meeting provided an opportunity for us to share ideas and learn from the Cuban successes in controlling the Pandemic in a convivial atmosphere.
3. We shall continue to engage with friends and partners using the lessons learnt to improve our response thus building on the gains we have made in controlling the pandemic. Our response remains to build around our strategy of trace, test, isolate and treat. In this regard, training of health workers is ongoing across the country on infection prevention and control, contact tracing and case management. The result of this is that the rate of infection among health workers has reduced and more cases are being successfully treated and discharged.
4. The COVID 19 pandemic has shown the value a well-coordinated multi-stakeholder approach can bring to improved health care and underscore the invaluable result of partnership. Earlier today, I launched the Nigeria Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Elderly Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Coordination Platform to harness the relative strength of diverse stakeholders and create huge opportunities to leverage resources towards maximization of outcomes and attainment of shared vision for Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable population most of whom are women, children, adolescents and the elderly.
5. I am always delighted by the commitment of our traditional leaders to issues concerning the health of our women, children and the vulnerable. This was again displayed today as our royal fathers from different parts of the country spoke with one voice in support of the RMNCAEH+N platform. I thank them immensely and we shall continue to count on their support.
6. Finally, I shall again remind us that this pandemic is not over yet. We all owe it as a duty to ensure that we protect ourselves and protect others. Wear a mask when in public places, ensure physical distancing and observe respiratory hygiene.
7. Thank you.
