HMH SPEECH AT THE PTF BRIEFING ON 2020 WORKERS DAY
SPEECH BY HON MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR OSAGIE EHANIRE ON WORKERS DAY, MAY 1 2020 AT THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE PRESS BRIEFING
PROTOCOL
I bring you special greetings on this special International Workers Day, which also marks 64 days since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, during which much has changed, the daily course of our lives has been disrupted, and the number of persons affected by the disease has risen. Among countries of the world, we have seen horrendous fatalities, livelihoods destroyed and economies shut down. This virus has affected all of us – from those struggling to survive, to those struggling to return from abroad, and it has even forced changes right at the heart of government. We have survived many past epidemics, but COVID-19 has been the most difficult and damaging that nations and healthcare systems have ever faced. It is not different for Nigeria.
2. With regard to COVID-19, only two States have not reported a case at all. Two hundred and four (204) cases were reported in the last 24 hours – Kano (80), Lagos (45), Gombe (12), Sokoto (9), Bauchi (9), Edo (7), Borno (7), Rivers (6), Ogun (6), FCT (4), Akwa Ibom (4), Bayelsa (4), Kaduna (3), Oyo (2), Delta (2), Nasarawa (2), Ondo (1), Kebbi (1). Twelve patients were discharged in the past 24 hours in Lagos (7), Ogun (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Edo (1) and Sokoto (1) bringing the total number of treated and discharged cases to 319.
3. These numbers speak for themselves, because the 204 cases are the highest count yet. We now have nearly a thousand in Lagos and more than 219 in Kano. We have sadly lost 51 persons, each painful and difficult to share. On behalf of the government, our prayers go out to their families.
4. We have discharged 319 persons, a number that we are working to increase daily, so there is hope. We have now activated 18 labs nationwide, to increase testing capacity and improve case management. Partners and Nigerians both home and abroad, are volunteering to serve and support our efforts. But the great tribute I pay today is to the workers of our healthcare system.
5. Doctors, Nurses, Lab technicians, Scientists, and unsung heroes like cleaners, drivers, clerks and adhoc staff, are the Nigerians in the frontline. Many offices have been working nearly 7 days a week since the outbreak started. Others more have been stretched almost to capacity, but still going strong, showing the Nigerian capacity for resilience and fortitude.
6. I say to these brave ones, "Happy Workers Day" and to their families, thank you, we will do all we can to protect them. We can support them by following the advisories: stay home, or wear a mask if you must go out, observe hand and respiratory hygiene and social distancing. I call on health workers to continue to follow laid down standard infection prevention and control measures and treat every patient with care for themselves and the patient, but please do not refuse care.
7. With regard to Kano, a multi-sectoral team of specialists comprising of NCDC, NPHCDA, Dept. of Hospital Services, Dept. of Family Health, Media, and Special Adviser etc. will leave for Kano in the morning to support the State in all areas. The main focus of the intervention is on training and capacity building of State healthcare workforce along various specialties on a massive scale. On case management, medical, nursing and cleaning staff shall be trained or re-trained; NPHCDA will engage its extensive Kano state network to drive testing demand at grassroots through community mobilization, so that NCDC testing strategy can be realized.
8. We get complaints about patients suffering from other ailments not being attended to in either private or public hospitals in the era of COVID-19, raising concern for immunization, RMNCH and routine service coverage. A senior official of the Dept. of Family Health is therefore in the team to help drive continuation of essential health care in both private and public hospitals in Kano.
9. We shall do all we can do combat the virus but we cannot do this alone. I earlier mentioned several outbreaks that we as Nigerians overcame. And we, as a Nation, must rally round to show how strong we can be.
Thank you.
