FeaturedHealthTrending Story

NCDC to governors: Prioritise COVID-19 tests in 85 LGAs not yet covered 

83

State governors have been urged to prioritise COVID-19 tests in the 85 Local Government Areas in 20 states left out of testing for the virus and which have yet to report any case.

The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, made the passionate appeal on Thursday at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

“On Monday we talked about 85 local government where we did not collect samples at all, we never tested but if we have sample collection sites in this local governments, they will be able to test or collect samples and they will test.

“So we want to appeal to our states to prioritize testing and want Nigerians also to come forward for testing.

“We know sometimes we look at stigmatization, people say they don’t want to go to the testing sites because they will be stigmatized,” he said.

According to DG, Coronavirus is not something to be ashamed of as some top government officials had tested positive for the virus and had recovered.
“There is an example among us, it can happen to anybody. So please let us come out and be tested.”
Ihekweazu, who was represented by Mrs Elsie Ilori, the Head of Department, Surveillance and Epidemiology Department, at the centre, said five states still account for 60 per cent of cumulative cases, while 689 out of 774 LGAs have reported a case and 50 per cent of all cases are in 20 per cent LGAs.

“Today’s focus is on sample collection. Since the beginning of the response our strategy has been trace, test, isolate and treat.

“It is only by doing this that we are able to know the burden of COVID-19 in the country. And so with a country as populated as ours, it’s not been easy, but we have to continue to push.

“In line with our national strategy we have rapidly called up our laboratory testing capacity Nationwide. As at today, we have 63 laboratories that are testing for COVID in the country.

“We have leveraged on the existing laboratories in the country including other programs, other diseases laboratories and private laboratories to set of this laboratories.

“In addition to accessibility and improving the turnaround time of our result, our aim is to expand our national testing capacity which we have achieved,” the NCDC DG said.

He added: “We have also supported states to set of sample collection sites.
However, our current situation is that testing labs are underutilized and that is because you are not collecting enough samples for the labs to test.

“I think it was mentioned earlier that since the Sallah break, some of our confirmed cases have been very low compared to what we have been having before but this is not because the numbers are getting  low but because we’re not collecting enough samples.

“If you notice, the number of samples collected during Salah was very low and we believe it was because of the festival season some labs even went on break, it should not have been.

“So we are working with the states to quickly address this so that we do not have this kind of situation again.

“Now what do we want? We want every local government to have a sample collection sites in the country.

“We started the pilots in FCT where we have various sample collection sites within the FCT and that’s what we want to expand to other states and let’s have sample collection sites in each local government in the country and that will help us to be able to collect enough samples and all the local government will be covered.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FG approves N12.7bln for mass metering of army barracks nationwide

The Federal Government says it has released N12.7 billion to provide electricity...

Women’s Day: Tinubu felicitates women, vows to prioritise their welfare, rights

President Bola Tinubu has promised to prioritize the welfare of women, protect...

All African Games: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles start their campaign on a losing note

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria started their campaign in the men’s football...

We committed $600m to health in Nigeria in 2023, says U.S. Govt.

The United States Government has disclosed that it has committed $20 billion...

EFCC sets up task force to combat dollarization of economy, mutilation of naira

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the setting up...

Sachet alcoholic drinks now phased out, as NAFDAC begins  clampdown on producers, consumers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says...

WHO predicts over 35m new global cancer cases by 2050

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of...

How Bafarawa diverted N4.6bln from ex-NSA for prayers, election, acquire luxury vehicles

A startling revelation has been made about how a former governor of...

CBN redeploys 1,500 staff to Lagos

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has redeployed 1,500 staff...

AFCON: Pres. Tinubu says unimpressed with Super Eagles’ performance

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his displeasure over the performance of the...

NAFDAC alerts importers, healthcare providers to fake diabetes medication in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has...

NAFDAC conducts laboratory investigation into alleged ‘poisonous’ plantain chips in Lagos

Aftermath of a viral social media post alleging a woman fried plantain...

Danger alert! LASG warns residents against consuming unhealthy fried plantain chips

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has alerted residents to alleged...

NAFDAC DG orders market survey, testing as fake paracetamol floods market

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug and...

Borno youths drinking gin-soaked Lipton, 10-day-old human urine, others as drug alternatives, NDLEA raises alarm

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised alarm over new...

Rise in infectious diseases fueled by insecurity, poverty in 2023, WHO reveals

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that the rise of infectious...

I’ve not met a man kind enough to marry —Ini Edo

In a candid revelation, renowned actress, Ini Edo, has hinted about the...

Ogun CP visits shot Nollywood actor, Ijaduade, vows to punish trigger-happy cop

Nollywood actor and Director, Azeez Ijaduade, who was shot “accidentally” by a...

Breaking: Actor, Azeez Ijaduade, allegedly shot by policeman in Ogun

In a shocking incident that has sent shock waves to Yoruba section...