PRESS BRIEFING BY HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 PRESS BRIEFING ON THURSDAY 23RD JULY, 2020
PROTOCOL
The covid-19 cases recorded daily over the past weeks now fluctuate within the 500 to 700 bracket, with 543 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing our confirmed total number in Nigeria so far to 38,344, of which 15,815 were successfully treated and discharged. We have regrettably recorded 813 fatalities, mostly with co-morbidities and tested a total of 247,825 persons in all.
2. We can rightly assume from the exponentially increasing numbers, that the pool of potentially infectious persons in the community, is rising and with that, the risk of infection for citizens at all levels of society, since a very significant number of persons testing positive is not in observation or treatment. I must commend persons of influence in society, who tested positive for covid-19 and came out publicly to declare it and entrust themselves to prescribed treatment. They do us a world of good by showing that there is no shame and nothing to hide about COVID-19, and they also contribute immensely to building confidence in the Health System. The Ministry of Health rededicates itself to doing everything possible to ensure that citizens get the best of treatment and are well taken care of. In this respect, I have received good testimony about some of our health institutions, like University of Lagos Teaching Hospital and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. I commend the CMDs and urge them to strive even higher for others to emulate. Nigeria expects more of all our Health institutions.
3. But despite this, our focus is still on prevention, being better and cheaper than cure. From what we know of covid-19 so far, we cannot reduce infection rate significantly without adhering to public health advisories such as appropriate wearing of face masks, physical distancing and avoiding crowded places, to avoid the exponential infection rate that sustains covid-19. If we accordingly take responsibility, we save lives, including our loved ones'. The evidence on the side of wearing a mask to protect yourself and others is now incontrovertible we should all comply.
4. The Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigerian Center for Disease Control now has a total of 59 molecular diagnostic laboratories for COVID-19 test activated. With a little improvement in logistics, lack of availability of testing capacity should not be a tenable excuse any more.
5. I am pleased to mention that all States of the Federation, including the FCT are receiving support from the COVID-19 response through the Regional Diseases Surveillance Enhancement (REDISSE) Project. With this support, all States of the Federation will receive NGN100 million to enhance high impact priority response activities. The soon to be reactivated BHCPF will join the funding pool.
6. The High Commissioner of India, led a delegation of the High Commission to Nigeria to the Ministry of Health on Friday, 17th of July, to make a donation of 7 tons of essential medicines and commodities to support the Nigerian government’s effort in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank the government and people of India for the gesture. I also use this opportunity to express our appreciation once again to our partners who have continued to stand by us.
7. The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has shared its final report on the evaluation of the COVID Organics from Madagascar. The initial report had showed that its main ingredient is the same as Artemisia anua. While the preparation at high dose showed activity in reducing the frequency of cough, it did not show any evidence that it has real curative properties against COVID-19. However, we shall continue to support all genuine efforts towards finding local covid19 cures.
8. The ThisDay Dome Isolation centre has finally started admitting COVID-19 cases. It is the most comprehensive of our treatment centers, fully equipped to treat mild, severe and even critical covid cases. It has ventilators, oxygen concentrators and even dialysis machines. On behalf of His Excellency the President, I again express appreciation to the CACOVID group who set up the Center and the CBN, who is providing hospitality to staff and patients. Personnel will be deployed from the FCT to join the expert team from Irrua, who have been assigned to ensure smooth take-off and mentor a critical mass of health workers to operate the centre.
9. Tuesday 21st July was the reporting day of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on Covid-19, when the leadership of the Ministry of Health's Agencies and Departments received the second report from the Chairman Prof. Tomori. Their findings were highly instructive and will be shared with Agencies, the PTF and stakeholders.
10. As we approach Salah and the time of prayers, I join all to wish our Muslim brethren well and urge them not to forget the precautions that have been prescribed, so as to reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission. All over the world, mass gatherings have been linked with the mass infections and casualties in other countries, which we see in the media each day, and which we are trying to avoid, in order not to overwhelm the capacity of our health system. Since the risk of crowding cannot be ruled out in places of worship and pose a serious hazard for COVID-19 transmission, it is very wise that persons over 60 years, the obese and those in treatment for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, HIV, etc, or have had a transplant, should stay at home pray at home. I also strongly advise that travel be avoided in this period, except for a critical reason.
11. It may be helpful to advise that citizens get the right nutrients in these uncertain times, to ensure best chances to build immunity and strengthen capacity to resist infections. Food should include fruits, vegetables and vitamins.
12. In conclusion, I should again remind all, that even though COVID-19 can present with symptoms like fever, similar to malaria, COVID-19 is not malaria. Symptoms like cough, sore throat, fever, loss of sense of taste or smell, difficulty in breathing, headache, and less commonly, diarrhoea, body pain, catarrh, shivering, fatigue, especially when several symptoms occur together, are suggestive of COVID-19. A test is required. Please call your State hotline or visit a sample collection center, which can be found on the NCDC website.
13. ThisDay Dome Isolation centre has started admitting COVID-19 cases. The centre is fully equipped to treat cases from mild to severe. More frontline personnel are to be deployed from the FCT to join the Irrua teams who have been deployed to ensure efficient take-off of the centre train and mentor a critical mass of health workers to operate the centre.
14. I wish to advise all Nigerians to eat right. Adequate nutrition will help build immunity and strengthen capacity to resist infections and mitigate the effect of the infection. Ensure that your meals include fruits and vegetables.
15. As I conclude, let me remind all that though COVID-19 presents with symptoms similar to malaria, COVID-19 is not malaria. If you have cough or fever or one of the following symptoms: loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, diarrhoea, catarrh, fatigue, shivering, body pains, headache or sore throat, you need to get tested. Please call the NCDC COVID-19 hotline on 0800-970000-10 or your state hotline which can be found on the NCDC website.
16. Thank you for your attention.
The Honourable Minister then responded to questions raised by journalists during the press briefing.
