By Zayamu Hassan
The Federal Government has mapped out plans to ensure health system resilience in order to prevent and combat the third wave of COVID-19 that is currently ravaging many countries of the world.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this on Monday at the media briefing by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, in Abuja.
He said the federal government would provide adequate oxygen facilities, “because sufficiency is of high priority, as we observed in countries going through the third wave.
He added that an order was placed for 38 Oxygen Generation Plants, one in each of the 36 states, with Lagos state having two, due to its high burden.
“The Global Fund is funding the repair of 30 non-operational plants, and shall in addition build 12 new oxygen plants, to be so spatially located across Nigeria, as set on the map of Nigeria, in such a way that gaps in supply are filled and health facilities in Nigeria are able to access oxygen less 100km from an oxygen plant.
“Over 420 brand new oxygen cylinders are on order, to support distribution and availability, just along with 12 liquid oxygen tanks of 10,000L each, with vaporizers, to be also stationed where we can refill cylinders easily.
“This will expand access to oxygen nationwide and make it available to treat patients with other conditions, such as asthma, pneumonia, sickle cell anaemia, etc,” Dr Ehanire said.
The minister revealed that the distribution of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and consumables is on track in health facilities across the country to assure health workers of their safety.
“Treatment centres and ICUs have been issued adequate consumables and medication, and have been advised to ensure generators are in working order, and fuel is available.
“Reports from the 69 treatment facilities that provide covid-19 services, indicate that as at today, only 4.55% of beds in isolation wards are occupied No patients on admission is using oxygen presently.
“We continue to train specialists in Intensive Care, ICU, to be familiar with new ventilators, with which we are stocked,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said that federal government workers from Grade Level 12 downward, who have been working at home since the past six months, will continue to do so till further notice.
“For over six months Federal Government employees on GL 12 and below have been observing work-from-home instructions. This restriction remains in place until further notice in order to avert a third wave,” he explained.
