Highlight

COVID-19: Kano testing laboratory reopens, commences tests – FG

337

 

The Federal Government has announced that the COVID-19 test laboratory centre at Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital,  Kano, has reopened after suspending operations on Monday and has commenced testing.

The centre was closed down following shortage of reagents, according to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who disclosed this at the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 pandemic, said a national response team made of of 16 people had been deployed to the state.
He assured that the state would continue to receive support from the Federal Government in the fight against Coronavirus.
Persecondnews recalls that Kano residents have expressed anxiety about a “strange ailment” that has killed many people, including prominent citizens in the past week.
Among those killed were a professor of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Murtala Balarabe Maikaba; Prof. Ibrahim Ayagi, owner of Hassan Gwarzo School; former Grand Khadi of Kano, Alhaji Dahiru Rabiu; and former Editor of Triumph, Mal Musa Tijjani.
Ihekweazu said: “I will like to remind everyone that during a pandemic, the risk of spread is to those areas where the population density is the highest. We are all aware of the population density in Kano, so Kano has always been very high on our radar.
“The high number of cases that we are now seeing in Kano is really not a surprise and we are very concerned about this and we are doing everything we can.
“Despite our strong commitment to quickly control the spread of the coronavirus, there is no magic bullet, if anyone has one I will be happy to get it.
“But as much as there has been this conversation, our role is to continue to work very hard on behalf of everyone, for the people of Kano and the people of state in the country.
“So what exactly are we doing? Firstly, is to mention that Kano has been one of the states we have had strongest relationship with at NCDC. There is no single state I have visited more often since I became the NCDC DG in 2016 than Kano. “
He added: “Just last week I visited Kano and met with the governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and we had very fruitful discussion.
“We did everything possible to activate the Kano lab, but sometimes speed also has consequences. So we had to pause and shut the lab for the safety of workers at the lab.
“The Kano lab will go functional today. Everybody is working hard to get the lab working. We remain focused on our targets, which is to increase testing across the country.”
On the deaths of prominent people, the NCDC DG said:“We are also working hard to investigate the causes of the deaths in Kano.
“This is a time for leadership, solidarity and not the time to point fingers. We understand it is a marathon and not a sprint.”
PTF National Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu promised that the federal government would ensure that  the issues were quickly resolved.
“A lot has been said about Kano, I just want to further add that we have been working very closely with our partners.
“Specifically the UN System and the US government to ensure that the whole aspect of the Kano response, particularly where we are having difficulties in terms of testing, in terms of access to patients, in terms of logistics, is sorted out.
“We are very grateful to our donors for coming together and making sure that we have a very coherent response.
“I will again emphasise the message to the people of Kano; they are not alone, the federal government will continue to take its responsibility seriously and we’ll continue to work with the state government and other stakeholders to ensure that the issue in Kano is sorted out as soon as possible,” he told reporters.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, said that the situation in Kano State was being addressed closely by the NCDC in strong partnership with the state government and guidance by the Federal Ministry of Health and  the development partners.
He noted that the nation was yet to be out of the woods in tackling the virus.
“The situation in Kano is being addressed very closely by the NCDC in strong partnership with the State government and guidance by the federal Ministry of health as well as support from our development partners,” he said.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Breaking: Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi breathes air of freedom

Twenty-one days after his arrest, imprisoned human rights lawyer and activist, Dele...

Ibadan stampede tragedy: Ooni’s ex-queen, prophetess Naomi Silekunola, others to spend Christmas, new year in prison

Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, Ooni of Ife’s ex-queen, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdullahi Fasasi...

Tinubu Says No Funds Taken from NNPC Ltd. in Last Three Months

President Bola Tinubu has made a bold statement, asserting that he has...

I’m unapologetic about fuel subsidy removal – Pres. Tinubu

For the umpteenth time, President Bola Tinubu has unequivocally declared that he...

EFCC’s seizure of 735 duplexes in Abuja, measure to make corruption unattractive venture – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating corruption, citing...

IG-P never authorized beating of policemen searching Nigerians’ phones – FPRO

The Nigeria Police Force has denied a viral report claiming that Inspector-General...

Decarbonization: NNPC Ltd joins OGMP 2.0, set to achieve net zero goal

NNPC Limited, Nigeria’s national energy company, has taken a significant step towards...

Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta Reclaims Top Spot in Serie A with Thrilling 3-2 Win Over Empoli

Atalanta surged back to the top of the Serie A standings with...

Death toll climbs to 22 in Anambra palliative distribution tragedy

Death toll from the devastating stampede incident in Okija in the Ihiala...

Updated: Stampede at Anambra rice giveaway leaves 12 dead, 32 injured

At least, 12 people lost their lives and 32 others were injured...

Ogun Information Ministry Vows to Intensify Mobilisation Efforts, Justifies N2bln 2025 Budget Proposal

The Ogun State Ministry of Information has assured the public of its...

No Shutdown: NNPC Ltd. Denies Report on Old Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports that...

Court Slaps MTN with N15m fine for disturbing customer me with unsolicited messages, caller tunes

In a landmark decision, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has slapped...

Bitter rivalry between Pasuma and Taye Currency shows no signs of abating

…There was no reason for Taye to be at Pasuma’s 40 years...

Update: Ekiti court grants Dele Farotimi N30m bail

Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun of an Ado Ekiti Magistrate’s Court has granted human...

Just in: Imprisoned Dele Farotimi appears in Ekiti Court amid tight security for ruling on bail application

Dele Farotimi, a prominent Human Rights lawyer and activist, arrived at the...

Just in: Imprisoned Dele Farotimi appears in Ekiti Court amid tight security for ruling on bail application

Dele Farotimi, a prominent Human Rights lawyer and activist, arrived at the...

Just in: National Sports Festival now to hold May 16- 30, 2025 – NSC

Following the postponement of the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games, Ogun...

Domestic Crude Oil Sale Initiative: Tinubu’s Strategic Move Pays Off

President Bola Tinubu’s directive to sell crude oil and refined products in...