By Asmau Ahmad
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 said Nigeria is enhancing surveillance at entry points to respond to the recent outbreaks of Ebola in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
PTF Chairman and Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha stated this in Abuja while speaking at the national briefing of the PTF on COVID-19.
He said the country is keeping a keen eye on the neighbouring countries, especially Guinea and DRC to avoid having to combat two deadly diseases at the same time.
“This is not a task for government alone but for all Nigerians and indeed all members of the public have a role to play,” he said.
Speaking on COVID-19 vaccines, Mustapha said the process for accessing vaccines for Nigeria is still on course under the coordination of the PTF in the same manner of the national response on COVID-19.
“While the Federal Ministry of Health and its relevant agencies remains the lead facilitators, our goal remains to keep it safe and efficacious.”
He also said that the oxygen strategy, which the PTF was pursuing nationwide under case management, was receiving the needed support from the global fund.
“This will involve the repairs of 36 plants nationwide. The process is ongoing and you will be briefed as it progresses. The objective is to make sure that oxygen is available within the shortest possible travelling distance for hospitals to procure for patients.
“As you are aware, the president has already approved the repairs of existing plants around the country,” he said.
