By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Federal Government has developed five health promotion Strategic Policy documents to empower Nigerians to live healthy lives and adopt healthy behaviours.

Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, the Director, Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), said this at the opening of a two-day Fourth Quarter 2020 National Health Promotion Forum (NHPF) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Anas-Kolo, the Chairperson of NHPF, said that the forum was able to facilitate technical and financial support for the development of a compendium of the documents in 2020.

The documents include the National Adolescent Strategy for Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition Programmes and the Knowledge Management Guideline for Health Promotion.

Others are the Revised National Integrated Reproductive Newborn Child Adolescent and Elderly Health Plus Nutrition Social and Behaviours;  Counseling Flip Chart on Key Household Practices and the Counseling Flip Chart on Family Planning/Child Birth Spacing.

According to her, another key achievement by the forum in 2020 was the ministerial presentation and the national launch of the Revised National Health Promotion Policy 2019 and the compendium of the strategic documents.

Effective implementation of these strategic policy documents would ensure health promotion programming in Nigeria: steps out of its less successful past; become formidable contributor to the achievement of the health related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The documents will become formidable contributors to the achievement of health-related SDGs and active vehicles for the attainable of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The director added that it would also foster sector and inter-sectoral collaboration to deliver critical interventions that would make healthy choices the easier choice for the people of Nigeria.”

The official said that the meeting was aimed at securing buy-in of all key stakeholders in successful implementation of the National Health Promotion Policy 2019.

She said deliberate efforts were required to successfully harness the benefits of health promotion in improving health, well-being and economic development.

“I implore you to participate actively so as to make the meeting engaging, dynamic and stimulating for maximum output.’’

The chairperson noted that the last meeting was held in May 2020 virtually due to the ongoing COVID-91 pandemic.

She said that the fourth meeting earlier scheduled to hold in December 2020 could not hold until today due to paucity of funds.

On next step, the director said that the forum would involve selected states to facilitate health promotion activities across the country.

In her remarks, Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, the Director, Health Promotion Division, FMoH, said health promotion had been repositioned for results.

“All materials that we developed were sent to the states before the inauguration of the documents and they are to improve the states’ involvement in health promotion across the country,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Health Promotion Forum, a multi-sectoral advisory platform, was resuscitated in March 2018, to promote successful working relationship, open discussions, increase transparency and opportunities toward leveraging resources from stakeholders.

The forum is also to leverage resources from stakeholders for infrastructure and human capacity development and harmonise health massages aimed at promoting healthy behaviour across sectors, and at individual, household, community and institutional levels. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, says the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 will take all the necessary steps to overcome supply challenges.

Shuaib also said the PTF would ensure an efficient roll out of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria.

He gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the PTF national briefing.

“In spite of the difficult task of accessing the COVID-19 vaccines, we are optimistic that the experiences acquired from eradicating polio and controlling Ebola will help us in the effective implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination programme when the vaccines become available.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is involved in discussions with some organisations, including with the African Union Commission, to access COVID-19 vaccines,’’ he said.

Shuaib disclosed that the Covax facility had informed the PTF that it would be supplying the country with approximately 16 million doses of Astrazeneca vaccine this month.

The NPHCDA boss said it was pertinent to note that expenses incurred by the Federal Government on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, and its accompanying administration processes, was in fact an investment toward strengthening the primary healthcare system in Nigeria.

“This is because in the short and long terms, it will afford the nation a more capable and healthy workforce… and also place the country in a better position to seamlessly undertake routine health services and manage potential future pandemics.

Shuaib said that with the awareness campaign being carried out in the mass media by the NPHCDA, credible and respected Nigerians from all walks of life were lending their voices in support of government’s plan to introduce COVID-19 vaccine.

“In the past week, we started with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) and the Muslim Scholars of Nigeria, under the umbrella of the Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs. Earlier today (Monday), we met with the Christian Association of Nigeria.

“We also had the 2021 first quarter meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Primary Healthcare Delivery, with the theme ‘COVID-19 Vaccination’.

“The meeting was presided over by His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, where he gave the assurance that religious and traditional leaders will continue to support government’s effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Sultan further urged people to desist from circulating rumours and misconceptions, but rather be open-minded to gain accurate knowledge about the vaccine,’’ said the NPHCDA boss.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the COVID-19 Technical Working Group (TWG), made up of experts from the PTF, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), NPHCDA and development partners, has been working daily to monitor the level of preparedness toward a successful roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 676  new cases of Coronavirus infections (COVID-19) in the country, bringing the total number of infected people to 131,918.

The NCDC made the figures available on its official website late Monday.

According to NCDC, COVID-19 infections dropped for the second consecutive day on Monday.

NCDC also disclosed that 21 coronavirus-related deaths occurred in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 1,607 in Nigeria.

It stated that the 676 new cases were reported in 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The agency said that Lagos State topped the list with 227 new infections, followed by Rivers with 73 newly infected people; Niger 69 and Plateau 56 cases.

Fifty cases were recorded in the FCT;  Kano-44, Oyo-43, Ogun-27, Gombe-18, Ondo-15, Enugu and Osun had 10 each;  Cross River and Edo got eight infected people each; Nasarawa had seven; Bauchi, four;  Kaduna, three  and  Ekiti and Zamfara had two each.

The NCDC, however, said that the number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 currently stood at 106,275, with 1,286 patients discharged from isolation centres across the country in the last 24 hours.

It said those discharged on Monday included 776 community recoveries in Lagos State and 96 in Plateau that were managed in line with its guidelines.

The agency maintained that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, is coordinating response activities nationwide.

So far 1,302,410 people have been tested in Nigeria since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was recorded on Feb. 27, 2020.

Like the rest of the world, Nigeria is experiencing the second wave of the pandemic, a development that has increased the number of COVID-19-related deaths in the country from 1173 on Nov. 29, 2020 to 1,578 on Jan. 31.

The NCDC has put the challenges Nigeria is facing in tackling the virus to include skepticism among the people, lack of compliance with set guidelines by religious leaders and a very low testing rate.  (NAN)

Maureen Ojinaka

Enugu State Government has expressed worry over apathy by residents of the state to go for COVID-19 sample test for effective prevention and cure.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ikechukwu Obi, made the observation during a press briefing organised by the  State Ministry of Information in Enugu.

Obi stressed that the number of sample tested at various sample collection centres would help the government to plan for intervention.

He said that the sample collection centres were in all the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, adding that people should go to the centres to get tested.

“The government is not happy with the response it is getting from the sample centres because people are not coming out for test.

“We need correct figures and data from the sample centres to work effectively

“When you get tested, you provide valuable evidence and data for us to work with.

“The data for public health help in our responses, it is about the number of cases that determine the action the ministry of health, the government and stakeholders should take,” he said.

The commissioner added that international partners and agencies that helped to support disease control in the world work with figures and data.

According to him, one of the best ways to prevent the pandemic is making use of non-pharmaceutical measure, which include all the COVID-19 rules.

He said non- pharmaceutical intervention included the same old hand washing, wearing of face mask, social distancing and using sanitizers, among others.

“It is important for us to wear mask as to avoid getting the virus as well as saving others,” he said.

Obi warned against people going to take vaccines from  unauthorised places or persons in the state.

He added that all vaccinators must have due authorisation and authority paper from the ministry.

The commissioner thanked all health workers in the ministry for their tireless effort in fighting against the pandemic in the state.

He called on residents to allay fear from people on the COVID-19 Vaccine.

“People with negative conspiracy theories on the anticipated Federal Government COVID-19 vaccine should stop the rumour.

“We are here as a ministry to safeguard the health of our people and lead them to the right path that would continue to guarantee their health and well-being,’’ he said.

Also the Commissioner for Information, Mr Chidi Aroh, said that the state community engagement, sensitisation and mobilisation of people were total.

Aroh added that the state government had engaged the entire 429 autonomous communities in the state, including religious leaders, among others on COVID-19 sensitisation.

He said that if the public would make it a duty by wearing face mask, the pandemic would be brought down by 90 per cent. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has declared Kogi a high-risk state for refusing to acknowledge the existence of the pandemic.

The PTF also said that the Kogi government had failed to report testing, lacked isolation centers and therefore warned Nigerians to be weary of visiting the state.

It said having analysed the pandemic in the country,  22 high burdened Local Government Areas within 13 states in the country had been identified.

The National Incident Manager (NIM) of the PTF COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, said this on Monday in Abuja, during the PTF briefing on COVID-19.

Muhammad said: “In addition to these, we have states where data is not coming forth. If we don’t test, your data will not be analysed and if your data is not analysed, we won’t know the level of the pandemic in your state.

“Notable among the states are Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara and Kebbi and of course Kogi that has not been reporting at all.

“States that are not testing are probably at much more higher risk than the states that are currently known as high burdened states.

“A state that is not testing at all is an absolute high risk for Nigerians to visit because, there is no testing facility and even if you fall sick, there is no isolation center and they don’t even acknowledge that the disease exists. So for that reason, we put that state at the top of high risk states.”

According to Mohammed, the 22 high burdened local government areas within 13 states in the country, mostly in the cities of the state capitals contributed over 95 per cent of new cases recorded in the last six weeks.

He listed the states and local governments as Nkanu West (Enugu); Abuja Municipal (FCT); Gwagwalada FCT; Gombe (Gombe); Chikun (Kaduna); Kaduna North; Kaduna South; Nassarawa (Kano); Katsina (Katsina); Ilorin South (Kwara); Ilorin West (Kwara); Eti-Osa (Lagos); Ikeja (Lagos); Kosofe (Lagos); Lagos Mainland (Lagos); Keffi (Nasarawa); (Lafia) Nasarawa; Ibadan North (Oyo); Jos North (Plateau); Jos South (Plateau); Port-Harcourt (Rivers); and Wamako (Sokoto).

He said the PTF was working currently to provide support to various states through their task forces towards contextualising and implementing the regulation signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As mentioned earlier, the regulation covers places of worship, public transport, banks, workplaces, sports and so on and so forth,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that notable features of the regulations include “Restrictions on gatherings, mandatory wearing of  face masks in public and above all the powers of prosecution by law enforcement agencies.

“We expect governments, institutions, owners of private buildings and other regulators to enforce these regulations. For example, putting a notice of no mask no entry or no mask no service to enlighten users of their services.

“Pertinent strategies will be adopted and they will include mobile courts on strategic locations such as markets, motor parks and it is expected that every law enforcement agency will monitor complaints or their staff within which they supervise.

“We are providing advisory to the states to develop community engagement strategy and risk communication strategies to sensitise the public on compliance to these regulations and to promote behavioural changes.

“Last week, we started with the FCT, where we had a very fruitful meeting with the Minister and the stakeholders of the FCT. We are currently developing the implementation plan and the timeline for which the FCT Taskforce will commence operations all over the FCT,” he said. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 75 healthcare workers tested positive for COVID-19 in the last one week across the country.

Its Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, made this known at the national briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

Ihekweazu said that the number of healthcare workers getting infected was becoming worrisome.

He said efforts were ongoing to ensure that health workers were actively protected against the virus.

“First, I’ll like to address the increasing number of COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers themselves.

“In the last one week, 75 healthcare workers were infected, but we can reduce this risk.

“For healthcare workers, please maintain a high index of suspicion at all times. We need you alive and well.

“This means that you should suspect COVID-19 in every case you meet, until ruled out. Even, when ruled out, there is still the small risk of infection.

“We are rolling out the use of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits (RDTs) in more health facilities over the next one month, as an additional tool to protect healthcare workers.

“We remain deeply grateful for the efforts and commitment of healthcare workers across the country,” he said.

The NCDC director-general said that sadly last week, the country recorded 27 deaths in a single day.

“Every death recorded is a tragic occurrence and our health workers are working extremely hard to prevent these.

“Everything we think and do in terms of the response, is focussed on trying to save lives,” he said.

Ihekweazu said the agency had started training health workers in five health facilities in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the use of RDTs in healthcare settings and would soon be in all Federal Hospitals.

“All five health facilities in the FCT have begun using these RDTs to test healthcare workers who are exposed, and patients who require surgery or specialised care.

“With this, we can reduce the risk of infection in healthcare facilities, which is a challenge.

“Any state government, hospital, corporate that wants to discuss the use of RDTs, how, which ones, when, please the guidance is on website ncdc.gov.ng.

“If you need support, drop us an email an info@ncdc.gov.ng and we will get back to you,” he said.

The NCDC boss said there was need for doctors and nurses to be on the alert on suspicion of COVID-19 cases.

“Over the past weeks, we have had several reports from patients that have been managed for days, sometimes weeks without thought of being given a COVID test.

“Colleagues, we need to significantly raise our alert levels to symptoms that patients present with.

“COVID-19 should be ruled out first for patients with pneumonia symptoms, congested chest, fever, body pains, even vague symptoms.

“Please stay safe. A case with fever and fatigue could be COVID-19. It is important to ensure patients are tested for COVID-19 and appropriate personal protective equipment are used by healthcare workers,” he explained.

The director-general urged health workers to model the behaviours they would like to see in others.

“We must all work together to achieve a common goal. Be a leader and champion setting the example in your social circles. It not just by saying, it is also by doing.

“Show people you wear a mask when visiting, reinforce the public health measures (in your homes and other settings). Model the behaviour you want to see in others,” he advised.

Ihekweazu said the country was seeing the emergence of some stigma attached to COVID-19, and literally, people were avoiding testing, in case they test positive to the virus.

“Folk honestly, we do not do this with malaria, or Typhoid where there is no risk transmission, why with COVID ? Lets do this together.

“Most people who tested positive for COVID-19 recover. No one should face shame or stigma; this will only deter people from going for testing and inevitably prolong the pandemic.

“If feeling unwell, stay at home, avoid immediate self-medication and get tested for COVID-19 to rule it out. Isolate while you await the test results.

“If you test positive for COVID-19, notify others you have come in contact with. This enables them to take the necessary precautionary steps.

“If you are notified that someone you came in contact with tested positive for COVID-19, be responsible and get tested for COVID-19 and isolate, while you await your results,” he said. (NAN)

The United States will join a UN-led effort to share COVID-19 vaccines fairly between richer and poorer countries, U.S. President Joe Biden’s medical advisor Anthony Fauci announced.

Biden would issue a directive on joining the so-called Covax initiative on Thursday, Fauci told an online meeting of the World Health Organisation (WHO) executive board.

He said the directive would also signal the plan to join a WHO-led programme to speed up the development of COVID-19 vaccines, medications and diagnostic tools.

Fauci, a top U.S. government disease expert, also reiterated Biden’s decision to halt his country’s withdrawal from the WHO that had been set in motion by Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump.

“I join my fellow representatives in thanking the WHO for its role in leading the global health response to this pandemic,’’ Fauci said, announcing that his administration would resume close cooperation with the Geneva-based UN health agency.

Fauci’s comments stood in stark contrast to Trump’s allegations that the WHO was to blame for the pandemic because it had helped China cover up the COVID-19 outbreak that was detected in Wuhan in late 2019.

However, Fauci made clear that U.S. stance on a thorough WHO probe into the origins of the outbreak in China has not changed under the new administration.

“The international investigation must be robust and clear,’’ Fauci said, referring to the current WHO-led mission of international experts who are visiting China.

India’s COVID-19 vaccines is safe and people should not fear them or heed to false information.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan  said  on Thursday as part of efforts to address what his ministry identified as vaccine hesitancy.

India’s vaccine rollout began on Jan. 16, with 30 million health workers and ancillary personnel to be vaccinated in the initial round, but the going has been slow with less than 60 per cent of the target met over the first five days.

A total 786,842 health workers had been vaccinated as of Wednesday evening, according to the Health Ministry.

Oxford University and Astra Zeneca’s vaccine manufactured by India’s Serum Institute under the name Covishield and Bharat Biotech Limited’s indigenously developed Covaxin are both in use as part of the programme.

Hesitancy to take the vaccine has been ascribed to fears of adverse reactions and the presence of antibodies among health workers, who have been working with COVID-19 patients for many months.

Glitches in an app developed to manage the programme has also slowed it down.

The ministry rolled out social media campaign material urging people to ignore fears, rumours and misinformation regarding the vaccines.

There were several messages from leading medical professionals endorsing the vaccines and saying they had suffered no adverse reactions after taking them.

India has the second largest Coronavirus caseload after the United States, with a total of more than 10.6 million infections and 152,869 related deaths.