Ehanire.
The Federal Government has raised
concern over the possible surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in
the country.
Speaking during a briefing by the Presidential
Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Health,
Osagie Ehanire, warned that Nigeria might have increased infections
if surveillance is not followed.
“As business and schools begin to open and as
travels begin to pick up, we fear that we may have a surge in the
number of cases unless we scale up surveillance and review our
response plan to integrate new ways to deal with the disease,” he
said.
“In line with this, the Nigeria Institute of
Medical Research has developed a molecular test for COVID-19 that
can give results in less than 40 minutes. It is the SARS-COV-2
Isothermal Molecular Assay (SIMA) which can be performed by low
skilled personnel with minimum training.
“This test which is ten times cheaper than the
PCR, can be deployed for point of care detection and
surveillance.
“The technique which was developed by Dr.
Chika Onwuamah will be deployed for use as soon as it is validated
by the relevant agencies of the Ministry for specificity and
Sensitivity.”
SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE:
PRESS BRIEFING BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF
HEALTH, DR. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT THE PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESIDENTIAL
TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 ON THURSDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER, 2020Protocol
A total of 58,460 confirmed cases have been
recorded as at today, 29th September, 2020 with 49,895 cases
treated and discharged. This result is from a total of
509,555 persons tested for COVID-19. Sadly, the number of deaths as
a result of the disease has since crossed the 1100 mark with 1111
deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. We
currently have 7,454 active cases which are being managed at home
or are in treatment centres with about half of them in Lagos
State.2.
The number of active cases has continued to drop as we revise our
discharge criteria in line with new knowledge of the disease even
as we continue to strengthen our case management pillar to provide
effective and efficient quality care to all those who test positive
whether they are in our facilities or home care.3.
As business and schools begin to open and as travels begin to pick
up, we fear that we may have a surge in the number of cases unless
we scale up surveillance and review our response plan to integrate
new ways to deal with the disease.4.
In line with this, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research has
developed a molecular test for COVID-19 that can give results in
less than 40 minutes. It is the SARS-COV-2 Isothermal Molecular
Assay (SIMA) which can be performed by low skilled personnel with
minimum training. This test which is ten times cheaper than the PCR
can be deployed for point of care detection and surveillance. The
technique which was developed by Dr. Chika Onwuamah will be
deployed for use as soon as it is validated by the relevant
agencies of the Ministry for specificity and Sensitivity.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});5.
I commend the Management of NIMR led by prof. Salako and
particularly Dr. Onwuamah for this laudable breakthrough. I also
extend the appreciation of Government to the FATE Philanthropy
Coalition for COVID-19 (FPCC) Support Fund for funding the project.
Government will continue to support every genuine initiative that
contribute to our response plan.6.
On Friday, 25 September, 2020, I had the privilege of performing
the
commissioning and hand over of the Infectious Disease Centre at the
University of Abuja Teaching Hospital which is a purpose-built
infectious disease treatment centre as part of the commitment of
the Federal Government to providing the necessary infrastructure
and resources for infectious disease management. It will go a long
way towards improving our capacity to respond to all infectious
diseases.7.
It is a fall back facility which we do not have to put to use if we
observe all necessary preventive measures such as wearing of face
masks, observing respiratory hygiene, and physical distancing. In
addition, we also need to ensure that we test and isolate all those
with symptoms which suggest COVID-19.8.
This morning, the top management Committee of the Federal Ministry
of Health played host to the Victims Support funds (VSF) who were
in the Ministry to officially present some IT equipment to the
federal Ministry of Health to boost the technical capacity of
personnel support our response to the pandemic. The VSF has been
supporting the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on COVID-19. I
wish to use this opportunity to General T.Y Danjuma and the
management of the VSF for the initiative. I recall that the fund
has also supported the NCDC as well.9.
I shall again renew my appeal to state government to continue to
ensure that we step up case findings, sample collection and
testing. It is only by testing that we can identify those with the
infection for isolation and treatment. This is the only way we can
truly halt the spread of the disease and confirm that we have
actually contained the pandemic.10.
Our goal is to have at least one standard Infectious Disease centre
in every state. We shall therefore work with states establish
purpose-built treatment centres that will ensure we are better
prepared for infectious disease outbreaks in the country.11.
Thank you