Covid 19 nigeria not ready for voluntary self quarantine tomori
A very timely and relevant topic!
On March 23, 2020, Nigeria's Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, announced that the country was not yet ready for voluntary self-quarantine, citing several reasons. This statement was made in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Here are some of the reasons Dr. Ehanire mentioned:
- Lack of infrastructure: Nigeria's healthcare system is still developing, and many areas lack basic infrastructure, such as functional hospitals, testing centers, and isolation facilities.
- Insufficient testing capacity: At the time, Nigeria had limited testing capacity, which made it difficult to identify and track cases of COVID-19.
- Inadequate contact tracing: The country's contact tracing capabilities were also limited, making it challenging to identify and isolate individuals who had come into contact with infected persons.
- Limited availability of personal protective equipment (PPE): Healthcare workers and other essential personnel did not have adequate access to PPE, such as masks, gloves, and gowns, which are essential for preventing the spread of the virus.
- Limited public awareness and education: Many Nigerians were not aware of the risks associated with COVID-19, and there was a need for widespread public education and awareness campaigns to promote preventive measures.
Dr. Ehanire emphasized that while voluntary self-quarantine was not feasible at the time, the government was working to address these challenges and would implement measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
Since then, Nigeria has made significant progress in its response to COVID-19, including:
- Increased testing capacity: The country has expanded its testing capacity, with multiple testing centers established across the country.
- Improved contact tracing: Nigeria has strengthened its contact tracing capabilities, allowing for more effective identification and isolation of individuals who have come into contact with infected persons.
- Increased availability of PPE: The government has worked to ensure that healthcare workers and other essential personnel have access to PPE.
- Public awareness and education campaigns: The government has launched public awareness and education campaigns to promote preventive measures, such as hand hygiene, social distancing, and mask-wearing.
While Nigeria is still grappling with the challenges posed by COVID-19, the country has made significant progress in its response to the pandemic.