By Asmau Ahmad
The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) have donated medical equipment to support Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The equipment was received by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja.
The items included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and equipment for Intensive Care Units (ICUs), such as oxygen compressors.
The medical equipment, SETI ated at 18 million dollars, were meant for the 15 West African countries, including Nigeria. Nigeria’s share of 13.6 per cent was handed over to the PTF on COVID-19, on Thursday at the Premier Medical Warehouse, in Abuja.
Health Reporters gathered that this is the first of two consignments of more to follow that will be handed over to the ECOWAS Commission and WAHO for distribution to the 15 ECOWAS Member States by WAHO with its Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (ECOWAS-RCSDC).
Receiving the items, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), thanked WAHO for keeping its promise, while restating government’s commitment to ensure the supplies were distributed equitably.
Represented by the Minister of Environment, Mahmoud Abubakar, the SGF noted that this was the second bulk of consignment of critical medical supplies the country had received from the organisation for the response of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“Nigeria, like many other ECOWAS Member States is currently experiencing a second wave of the pandemic which has seen the emergence of some other strains of The number of confirmed cases and attendant deaths during the second wave has exceeded the levels experienced during the first.
“As at March, 3, 2021,Nigeria had recorded cumulative total of 156,963, confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection and 1,939 deaths. This is in addition to the negative impact of the pandemic on our population’s mental well-being, non- pandemic health issues and socio-economic development,” he explained.
Boss Mustapha said that as the pandemic evolves, there was a critical need to continually strengthen national response capacities through the availability of essential medical supplies to enhance diagnostic testing, treatment of hospitalised patients and protection of frontline workers.
The Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, described the donation as critical supplies in the COVID-19 response strategy.
“I wish to convey the appreciation of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and of the people of Nigeria, to ECOWAS and WAHO for this brotherly gesture.
“We also appreciate the choice of Abuja by ECOWAS and WAHO, as the central hub for receipt and distribution of regional supplies of medical products and equipment for the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
Mamora, however, advised Nigerians that even with the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines, they should not let down their guard.
Earlier, the Director General of WAHO, Prof. Staley Okoro noted that the donation was part of the organisation’s mandate which was to support ECOWAS countries in their national health response.
While congratulating Nigeria for receiving its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines, Stanley stated that the medical supplies would add more credence in the fight against the virus.
