NCDC Activates 13 Molecular Laboratories Nationwide

The Honorable Health Minister, D. Osagie Ehanire, announced that the Nigeria Center of Diseases Control (NCDC) has been operating 13 molecular laboratories nationally to date, noting that the aim is to double the existing National Test Capacity of 1.500 tests every day. 

The Minister revealed it at his Presidential Task Force briefing on 20 April 2020, as he stated that a total of 627 confirmed cases in 21 countries and FCT had COVID-19. He said that the 86 new ones that were reported were distributed as follows: 70 from Lagos, 7 from FCT, 3 from Akwa Ibom and Katsina, and 1 each in Bauchi, Borno and Jigwa. So far 21 deaths have been reported, of which one is Mallam Abba Kyari. Head of Staff of His Excellency Muhammedu Buhari announced that 170 people had recovered from COVID-19 in Nigeria and were released while 146 people recover from COVID-19. 

Dr Ehanire announced that the group at the grassroots level is currently being evaluated and mobilized. This new approach is due to the pace and increase in the number of new people who receive COVID-19 daily in the group. He pointed out that more house-to-house strategic and cluster monitoring in communities helped rapidly identify, check and isolate the community’s ongoing transmission. Health Minister focused on further that enhancing isolation facilities because having more infected persons without facilities to handle them, will not lead to a solution. Isolation and treatment centres are available to meet the protection and privacy requirements of all persons, he said. The Minister made clear that all persons entering Nigeria from abroad, must undergo a 14-day quarantine at a specified facility. He noted that state governments are collaborating to prepare a total of 300 beds for isolation and care while also exploring other options like engaging hotels for quarantining people who may have COVID-19 with or without symptoms needing little clinical management. 

According to Health Minister, “the Federal Government has the responsibility and capability to manage this viral infection safely, in the interest of public safety and national security, but can share this responsibility with private sector hospitals who meet laid down criteria”. He advised that they work with the Ministry of Health and NCDC on surveillance and referral of patients for testing or to isolation and care centres. Dr Osagie Ehanire expressed his condolences to families of professional colleagues who had lost their lives while on duty and used the opportunity to also call on them to take precautions while attending to patients in health facilities. The Minister urged citizens to continue to take responsibility through physical/social distancing, appropriate use of masks or improvised face coverings to be used outside the homes, especially in hotspot states of Lagos, Kano and FCT, maintenance of hand and respiratory hygiene, as well as strict adherence to the lockdown measures and regulations. 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha noted that “the PTF recognizes regrettably the unintentional violation of the principles and protocols that form the core of our messaging to Nigerians, at the funeral of the late Chief of Staff”. He said lessons had been learnt and that appropriate measures had been taken to close other gaps. He assured Nigerians of their safety and the determination of the PTF to combat the pandemic. He further stated that “We must all come together because we face a common enemy and potential risk. We must flatten the curve at all cost and restore our country to full activity.

Data source: Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria