Federal Ministry of Health Press Release
28th April, 2020
Health Minister solicits concerted efforts against COVID 19.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has advocated concerted efforts in the fight against the Corona Virus which has entered its 2nd month of ravaging the country from the time of the index case on 27th April, 2020.
The Honourable Minister disclosed that the increasing figure of 1,273 positive cases which does not spare people in 32 States of the Federation including FCT is attributable to community transmission due from non-compliance with lock down directives. The Minister also identified non-medical interventions, incompetent and unauthorized secret treatment by doctors in un-accredited health facilities and homes.
For better handling, Dr. Ehanire further disclosed that the number of diagnostic laboratories in the country have been upgraded to fifteen (15).
The Honourable Minister of Health clarified the rise in the number of COVID 19 cases and deaths in Kano: He disclosed that Federal Ministry of Health has despatched a high-powered fact-finding team to Kano. The team, he said was also empowered to offer technical support to Kano State Government in its COVID 19 response as well as investigating causes of deaths which many persons attributed to “unknown causes”.
Dr. Ehanire reiterated public health advisories to Nigerians in general, Muslims and people of Kano in particular during this period of Ramadan. He enjoined traditional and religious leaders to step risk communication and awareness creation as panacea for arresting the spread of the virus.
The Honourable Minister of Health further directed that more information on COVID 19 is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Social Media handles of the Ministry.
Report by Eunice Akro, Assistant Director, Press Unit for Director, Press.
