By Fatima Saka
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has assured that the Ten (10) Billion Naira earmarked for COVID-19 response Funds will be channeled into production of COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Ehanire made this assertion on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing the Newmen on Update of COVID-19 Response and Development in the Health Sector and other related disease outbreaks.
Speaking on, the minister said the controversial funds are still intact and with the Ministry of Finance, that the federal government is converting the funds into production of COVID-19 Vaccines.
This also follows the updates on the COVID-19 epidemiological status, and the ongoing COVID-19 response led by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, the monkeypox outbreak, and management of other infectious diseases such as Lassa fever and measles.
Following the highlights by Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who was represented by Dr Aderinola Olaolu, Assistant Director and Head of Response Division NCDC, vaccinations, diagnostics and therapeutics are necessary to curb the spread of the virus.
However, the DG of NCDC projected that Nigeria had 5,547,250 samples tested, 264,802 confirmed cases, 257,880 discharged cases and unfortunately 3,155 deaths of COVID-19.
According to her that the virus is still circulating and that Nigerians should continue to abide to all measures to prevent transmission, while they keep on strengthening capacity to respond across the country
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Furthermore, While updating on the outbreak of Monkeypox, she stated that in Nigeria, there are 815 suspected cases, 318 confirmed cases, and 7 deaths this year from monkeypox.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adetifa added that NCDC is engaging the key partners to support and establish areas of monkeypox research priorities by understanding animal reservoirs, population exposure, and genomics of transmission chains.
She further narrowed it to Lassa Fever that Nigeria already had 909 confirmed cases and 170 deaths of Lassa fever as at Week 34, from 25 states and 101 LGAs.
“Of all confirmed cases, 70% are from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi States. Our response activities continue in all areas, particularly in areas of state advocacy, IPC support, and laboratory diagnostics.” She said .
Whole speaking about Measles, she said that the Impacts of COVID-19 has been a catastrophe across several and other areas which includes the increase in the risk of measles and probable increase in yellow fever outbreaks due to delayed planned vaccination campaigns.
“There have been 18,577 confirmed cases, and 190 deaths as at week 35 in 36 states & FCT and there are 40 LGAs with active outbreak.
“We continue to support state responses to measles outbreaks.
“We encourage all who are yet to be vaccinated to follow the guidance from NPHCDA to access the available vaccines. These vaccines are safe, effective and will protect against severe disease hospitalisations, and death.
“When you do receive your vaccine, please bear in mind that this must not lead to disregard of public health and social measures,” she added.
