By Hassan Zaggi
The fight against Covid-19 in Nigeria has gotten a boost. This is even as the United Nations (UN) has received delivery of vital health supplies to be given as donation to the Nigerian Government.
The vital supplies include 10,000 test kits, 15 oxygen concentrators, and various personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, IEHK/PEP kits, and other vital health supplies
The supplies are co-financed by the European Union (EU) and IHS Nigeria, the Nigerian subsidiary of IHS Towers.
According to a statement made available to Journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, the supplies will support the Nigerian government’s COVID-19 Response Plan and United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF’s) work with children and families in Nigeria.
The supplies, the statement further explained, will also support the Government of Nigeria, through the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), to prevent and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in affected states across the country.
Additional COVID-19 response supplies are expected in a UN joint flight to be delivered to Nigeria in the coming days.
The statement quoted the UN’s Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, as saying that: “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.”
Speaking further, Kallon said: “Working closely together with the Government and other partners, including the private sector, is the surest way of preventing and containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are grateful for the support of the EU and IHS in getting these vital supplies to strengthen the UN’s efforts in helping the Government of Nigeria to address the COVID-19 challenge.”
The statement explained that 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.
It would be recalled that since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Nigeria in late February, the UN has been supporting the Government of Nigeria to respond to the pandemic through risk communications and community engagement, infection prevention and control, epidemiology/surveillance and management of coronavirus cases.
