REMARKS OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR. E. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT THE HANDOVER CEREMONY OF CRITICAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FROM ECOWAS/ WAHO TO NIGERIA FOR THE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ON SATURDAY, 11 JULY 2020 AT THE PREMIER MEDICAL WAREHOUSE, JABI-ABUJA
Protocols
I am delighted to be here with you all today at our PREMIER MEDICAL WAREHOUSE, JABI – ABUJA, at the invitation of the Director General of the West African Health Organization, WAHO and the President of the ECOWAS Commission. We are gathered here to receive a donation of medical equipment to the Government and people of Nigeria, courtesy of the West African Health Organization WAHO, to support our effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. I am informed that this donation includes ventilators, test kits, personal protective equipment (PPE's) and face masks, which is always good news, as these products are critical supplies in our COVID-19 response strategy. I wish to convey the appreciation of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and of the people of Nigeria, to ECOWAS and WAHO for this brotherly gesture.
3. We also appreciate the choice of Abuja by ECOWAS and WAHO, as the central hub for receipt and distribution of regional supplies of medical products and equipment for the fight against COVID-19. It is a great indication of confidence and we shall play our role in providing support to our fellow member states in the ECOWAS subregion, to fight this disease outbreak, of which President Buhari was recently designated Champion of the COVID-19 response.
4. Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnesses to the enormous health, economic and social impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on Low and Lower medium countries of the world. Since the 27th of February, when the first case was confirmed in Lagos, life has completely changed for us, as indeed it has in almost all nations. The public health institution of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has been focused on providing the public health guidance we need to tackle the challenge. The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 was set up to lead the whole-of-government response strategy and determine non-pharmaceutical measures to ensure the safety of citizens. Our health workers are toiling assiduously to treat COVID-19 patients, provide emergency care, while not losing sight of routine and essential health services. They all need our support and encouragement and I believe that the provision of these test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE)will generate even more peace of mind to facilitate their work.
5. I am very pleased that in addition to these subregional efforts, our development partners have joined in support; this being thanks to the advocacy of WAHO and the ECOWAS Commission. I would like to extend our gratitude to the German Government, BMZ, KFW, and GIZ.
6. As Chair of the ECOWAS COVID-19 Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Health, I am certain that when other ECOWAS Member States receive their portion of these supplies, they will be just as appreciative of the generousity of the Government and people of Germany.
7. I shall conclude by thanking the media for the part they play in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and for their presence here today. We value this partnership with you and shall continue to work together to strengthen it.
Thank you for listening!
Merci. Obrigado.
