The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is concerned
about community transmission of COVID-19, especially in rural
communities, thus, the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa
Bello, has charged royal fathers and area council chairmen to ramp
up sensitisation.
The concerns were raised during an emergency COVID-19 meeting of
stakeholders in the FCT, including religious, traditional and
political leaders.
The meeting also had in attendance the Director General of NCDC,
Chikwe Ihekweazu, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task
Force on COVID -19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, among other participants.
According to a statement by the FCT minister’s Chief Press
Secretary, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, the FCT Epidemiologist, Dr. Doris
John, while giving an overview of the spread of the pandemic,
expressed worry over the rising level of community
transmission.
Dr. John also stated noted that poor adherence to preventive
measures had increased the spread of the virus while late
presentation of cases had led to increased number of
fatalities.
She also mentioned that the major challenges faced by health
workers in the fight against the pandemic were stigmatisation and
denial, myths and misconceptions, confirmed cases refusing to be
evacuated to treatment centres, low involvement of key stakeholders
at the community level, increasing number of sick frontline health
workers and high number of imported cases to the FCT.
The FCT minister, therefore, urged area council chairmen and
traditional rulers to take on the responsibility of educating and
sensitising residents at the grassroots on the need to adhere to
established protocols in the fight against COVID-19 in the FCT.
Malam Bello, who chaired the meeting, expressed the appreciation
of the FCTA to the frontline health workers and called for a
standing ovation for them for their effort in the fight against the
virus in the FCT.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is concerned
about community transmission of COVID-19, especially in rural
communities, thus, the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa
Bello, has charged royal fathers and area council chairmen to ramp
up sensitisation.
The concerns were raised during an emergency COVID-19 meeting of
stakeholders in the FCT, including religious, traditional and
political leaders.
The meeting also had in attendance the Director General of NCDC,
Chikwe Ihekweazu, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task
Force on COVID -19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, among other participants.
According to a statement by the FCT minister’s Chief Press
Secretary, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, the FCT Epidemiologist, Dr. Doris
John, while giving an overview of the spread of the pandemic,
expressed worry over the rising level of community
transmission.
Dr. John also stated noted that poor adherence to preventive
measures had increased the spread of the virus while late
presentation of cases had led to increased number of
fatalities.
She also mentioned that the major challenges faced by health
workers in the fight against the pandemic were stigmatisation and
denial, myths and misconceptions, confirmed cases refusing to be
evacuated to treatment centres, low involvement of key stakeholders
at the community level, increasing number of sick frontline health
workers and high number of imported cases to the FCT.
The FCT minister, therefore, urged area council chairmen and
traditional rulers to take on the responsibility of educating and
sensitising residents at the grassroots on the need to adhere to
established protocols in the fight against COVID-19 in the FCT.
Malam Bello, who chaired the meeting, expressed the appreciation
of the FCTA to the frontline health workers and called for a
standing ovation for them for their effort in the fight against the
virus in the FCT.