COVID-19: Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals Get N84bn From CBN

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin
Emefiele, has said the bank has disbursed N83.9 billion to
pharmaceutical companies and healthcare practitioners nationwide to
cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emefiele disclosed this at the premiere of ‘Unmasked’, a
documentary on Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos
at the weekend.

He said: “Building a robust healthcare infrastructure was also
vital from a security perspective, as some nations had imposed
restrictions on the exports of vital medical drugs as well as the
use of drug patents that could aid in containing the spread of the
pandemic.

“In this regard, we disbursed over N83.9 billion in loans to
pharmaceutical companies and healthcare practitioners, which is
supporting 26 pharmaceutical and 56 medical projects across the
country. “

He disclosed that the apex bank was able to mobilise key
stakeholders in the Nigerian economy through the CACOVID alliance,
which led to the provision of over N25bn in relief materials to
affected households, and the set-up of 39 isolation centres across
the country.

Governor Sanwo-Olu after watching the documentary said that the
structure of Nigeria governance system is what must be looked into
and changed positively.

The documentary film was produced and directed by Femi Odugbemi
and co-produced and presented by Kadaria Ahmed with support from
MacArthur Foundation, CBN and PLAC.

The Director of Mac-Arthur Foundation, Dr Kole Shetimma who
joined the event virtually in his opening remark said, “COVID-19
has taught us that we must make it possible for all citizens
including rich and poor to have access to basic health care
services.”

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin
Emefiele, has said the bank has disbursed N83.9 billion to
pharmaceutical companies and healthcare practitioners nationwide to
cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emefiele disclosed this at the premiere of ‘Unmasked’, a
documentary on Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos
at the weekend.

He said: “Building a robust healthcare infrastructure was also
vital from a security perspective, as some nations had imposed
restrictions on the exports of vital medical drugs as well as the
use of drug patents that could aid in containing the spread of the
pandemic.

“In this regard, we disbursed over N83.9 billion in loans to
pharmaceutical companies and healthcare practitioners, which is
supporting 26 pharmaceutical and 56 medical projects across the
country. “

He disclosed that the apex bank was able to mobilise key
stakeholders in the Nigerian economy through the CACOVID alliance,
which led to the provision of over N25bn in relief materials to
affected households, and the set-up of 39 isolation centres across
the country.

Governor Sanwo-Olu after watching the documentary said that the
structure of Nigeria governance system is what must be looked into
and changed positively.

The documentary film was produced and directed by Femi Odugbemi
and co-produced and presented by Kadaria Ahmed with support from
MacArthur Foundation, CBN and PLAC.

The Director of Mac-Arthur Foundation, Dr Kole Shetimma who
joined the event virtually in his opening remark said, “COVID-19
has taught us that we must make it possible for all citizens
including rich and poor to have access to basic health care
services.”