When Nigeria recorded the first case of COVID-19, we acted as if the virus would be finished immediately.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Enahire assured Nigerians that everything was under control, but was everything truly under control.
Before the virus landed in Nigeria, The World Health Organization (WHO) had listed Nigeria among the 13 African countries with highest importation risk among Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Morocco, Sudan, Angola, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Tunisia.
One of the ways of preventing the spread of Coronavirus apart from hand washing, hand sanitizing, and social distancing is to test more people. The more people are tested, the faster they will know their health status.
As at March 24, 2020, 178 tests have been carried out according to Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). That is a national average of 6.5 tests per day, it shows Nigeria never had the capacity to test more people.
The prevention strategy the government has been using was to inform people that came back into the country to self-isolate and report themselves if there are signs of the symptoms of the virus.
A carrier of the virus can transmit it to others without knowing. This was the case with Mohammed Atiku, the son of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who met with Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who travelled to Germany recently tested positive. We cannot ascertain whether he submitted himself for testing after he developed symptoms or because he was among the ‘privileged’ that had access to the few testing kits.
We don’t know whether this strategy is working, but having 99 new cases in eight days shows that the lower number might be as a result of the inability to test more people.
This should inform the government on how to prevent any looming crisis. As of 29th March 2020, there are 111 confirmed cases, the numbers might rise as more people get tested.
We are aware NCDC is currently expanding their molecular laboratory network in Abakaliki, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Maiduguri in addition to the existing laboratories in Lagos, Ibadan, Osun, Edo, and Abuja.
This will definitely help to boost the testing capacity of NCDC. We commend their transparency and accountability which is contrast to the aloof, opaque and secrecy which is the trademark of the present administration.
Coronavirus has shown that our priorities as a nation have misplaced, the vulnerable people in our society have been depending on luck and prayers to maintain their health, while the leaders who were elected to fix the system neglect the health system at home in preference to those in the west.
Read Also: Coronavirus: Lagos Might Have Up To 39,000 Cases – LASG
President Buhari is a frequent visitor to hospitals in the United Kingdom, with total disdain for hospitals in Nigeria. Also, the doctors treating Abba Kyari for Coronavirus had to fetch his medical records from Wellington Hospital, St. John’s Wood, London, according to Punch News.
As we battle this global enemy, let’s remember to maintain proper hygiene as stipulated by the NCDC and the Ministry of Health. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, sanitize your hands when there is no water. Avoid physical contact by maintaining social distancing. Stay indoors as much as possible. Together, we will defeat COVID-29
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