The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has said that the federal government will engage with friends and partners, using lessons learnt to combat COVID-19
Dr. Ehanire who diclosed this at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) briefing in Abuja on Monday, stated that as the world constantly remind itself that this is a new virus and there is still a lot to be learnt, Nigeria shall continue to engage with friends and partners using lessons learnt to improve our response thus building on the gains we have made in controlling the pandemic.
“In the past 24 hours, Nigeria recorded 163 new COVID-19 cases in 12 states, bringing the total confirmed cases to 60,266 out of 554,006 persons tested so far.
“51,735 cases have been discharged and 1,115 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with 7,416 active cases currently receiving treatment either at home, in home care or in a facility”.
Representing the Minister of Health, at the press briefing, the Minister of state for Health, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora said that Nigeria will continue to share its experiences as well as learn from the experience of other countries.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the value, a well-coordinated multi-stakeholder approach can bring to improved health care and underscore the invaluable result of partnership”.
Mamora stated that Nigeria’s response in the fight against the pandemic remains to build around our strategy of trace, test, isolate and treat.
“In this regard, training of health workers is ongoing across the country on infection prevention and control, contact tracing and case management. The result of this is that the rate of infection among health workers has reduced and more cases are being successfully treated and discharged”, he said.
However, the minister reported the launch of the Nigeria Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Elderly Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Coordination Platform to harness the relative strength of diverse stakeholders and create huge opportunities to leverage resources towards maximization of outcomes and attainment of shared vision for Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable population most of whom are women, children, adolescents and the elderly which took place earlier in the day.
He expressed delight by the commitment of traditional leaders to issues concerning the health of our women, children and the vulnerable which was displayed as royal fathers from different parts of the country spoke with one voice in support of the RMNCAEH+N platform.
Whilst reiterating that the pandemic is not over yet, Mamora said, we all owe it as a duty to ensure that we protect ourselves and protect others.
“Wear a mask when in public places, ensure physical distancing and observe respiratory hygiene”, he added.