Moses Ofodeme
The United Nations (UN) said it has donated 10,000 test kits; 15 oxygen concentrators; various Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), vaccines, IEHK/PEP kits, and other health supplies to Nigeria.
Edward Kallon, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, April 16, in Abuja.
He said that the supplies which was co-financed by the European Union and IHS Nigeria; was meant to support the Federal Government’s COVID-19 response plan, as well as UNICEF’s work with children and families in Nigeria.
According to him, additional supplies are expected in a UN joint flight to be delivered in the country in the coming days.
“The Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) will protect medical personnel and ancillary staff who are the first responders in the frontline; providing care and treatment to people affected by the virus.
“The test kits will enable healthcare workers to test those who suspect they may have the virus to verify their health status; so they can get treatment and protect their families and communities.
“We know that to limit the spread of the virus, it is important to test as many people as possible; especially those with recent travel history and those who came into contact with travelers.
“These test kits will support Nigeria’s drive to control the transmission of COVID-19 infections and support the Government’s ongoing strong efforts to protect the country from an escalating pandemic,”he said.
The UN official added that working closely with the government and other partners; including the private sector, was the surest way of preventing and containing the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu, has revealed there is a high possibility the COVID-19 virus will spread across all the states in the country.
Ihekweazu made this disclosure during a media interview on Channels Television’s breakfast programme; Sunrise Daily on Thursday, April 16.
He further said every state will have its fair share of the COVID-19 disease.
Speaking further, the NCDC boss said that the outbreak of COVID-19 is on a much larger scale; at the moment in 22 states; but it will grow to every state in Nigeria.
However, he gave the assurance that the Federal Government was making efforts to curb the spread of the virus; while also insisting that it has not been an easy task.