PRESS BRIEFING BY HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 PRESS BRIEFING ON MONDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2020
Protocol
As at today, 24th of August, 2020, we have sadly lost over 1,000 persons to COVID-19 with a total of 1002 deaths. We cannot reiterate enough the importance of adhering to the non-pharmaceutical interventions to curb the virus. We have also recorded 52,227 COVID-19 positive cases out of 379,542 samples tested so far and treated and discharged 38,945 persons
2. As we continue to learn from our experience from managing COVID-19, the need to improve quality of care, health system strengthening and seamless patient evacuation especially in emergency situation has become crucial. We shall therefore continue to review and strive for improvement in the treatment of COVID-19 symptomatic cases, older adults, and those with already existing medical conditions with the view to reducing our case fatality rate.
3. In the same vein, we shall not lose sight of the fact that COVID-19 is not the only health challenge faced by our people. We shall therefore ensure that routine services are strengthened. This pandemic has further underscored the importance of immunization and vaccination to good health. Strengthening routine immunization shall continue to receive attention especially as Nigeria will receive her polio free certification this week.
4. Therefore, on Friday, 21st August, 2020, I had the pleasure of commissioning 456 Motorcycles and Computers meant to enhance the Routine Immunization Officers ability for supportive supervision of service providers, and support the generation and on-site utilisation of programme data to continuously improve the quality of the immunization programme in Nigeria.
5. We have continued to inter-phase with different professional groups using different fora e.g. meeting via online platforms locally and internationally. This is to keep in touch with new findings and treatment measures. Last Friday, I had a meeting with the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) and the Guild of Medical Directors (GMD). One of the highlights from the meeting was the pledge of the Medical practitioners to support the National Emergency Treatment Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). Moving forward we shall work together in partnership towards improving health outcomes.
6. Thank you for listening.
The Honourable Minister then responded to questions raised by journalists during the press briefing.
